University of Tennessee Athletics
LOFTON SELECTED TO TSWA COLLEGE ALL-STATE TEAM
May 01, 2006 | Men's Basketball
May 1, 2006
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -Guard Chris Lofton was the only Tennessee Volunteer named to the 2005-06 collegiate all-state men's basketball team as announced by the Tennessee Sports Writers Association. The team was selected in a vote by TSWA members.
The University of Memphis, which advanced to the NCAA region finals, placed three players on the men's all-state team.
Selected to the men's team were: Rodney Carney, University of Memphis, Chris Lofton, University of Tennessee, Tim Smith, East Tennessee State University, Darius Washington, University of Memphis and Shawne Williams, University of Memphis.
The University of Tennessee had two players selected to the women's all-state team.
Selected to the women's basketball team were: Katasha Brown, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Emily Christian, Tennessee Technological University, Chrissy Givens, Middle Tennessee State University, Candace Parker, University of Tennessee and Shanna Zolman, University of Tennessee.
Capsules on TSWA All-State Collegiate Men's Basketball Players
Chris Lofton, University of Tennessee
6-2, Guard, Sophomore, Maysville, Ky.
Lofton rewrote Tennessee s single-season record books in 2005-06 with his 3-point shooting on his way to earning consensus first team All-SEC honors and several All-America awards. The sophomore Wooden Award finalist broke school records for 3-pointers made (114), 3-pointers attempted (261) and 3-pointers per game (3.80 pg). His 114 3-pointers in 2005-06 were the second-most in Southeastern Conference history. The Maysville, Ky., native s 261 3-point attempts in 2005-06 are sixth in SEC history and he shot 43.7 percent (114-of-261) from 3-point range, the third-best percentage in school history.
Rodney Carney, University of Memphis
6-7, Forward, Senior, Indianapolis
A consensus All-America second team selection. Conference USA Player of the Year. Conference USA All-Tournament Team pick. Named to the All-Conference USA first team. A finalist for three national Player of the Year honors (Naismith Award, Oscar Robertson Trophy, Adolph F. Rupp Trophy). Was on the Wooden Award mid-season list. Participated in the College Basketball Slam Dunk Championships at the 2006 NCAA Final Four in Indianapolis. Led the Tigers in scoring (17.2 ppg) and three-point field goal percentage (39.1). Averaged 4.3 rebounds and shot 43.6 percent from the field. Had 47 assists, 25 blocks and 49 steals. Conference USA s second-leading scorer. Mo ved into the No. 3 spot on the Memphis career scoring list with 1,901 points (trails only Keith Lee and Elliot Perry). Holds the school s career three-pointers made record with 287 treys. Also set the school s single-season three-pointers made mark with 102 in 2005-06. Netted double figures in 33 of the Tigers 37 games in 2005-06. Scored a career-high 37 points in a win over Louisiana Tech in 2005-06. Tied a career high with six treys in three games in 2005-06. Named Conference USA Player of the Week three times this past season.
Tim Smith, East Tennessee State
5-9, Guard, Senior, Newport News, Va.
The Buccaneers most recognizable player, Smith has become a nationally-known player at the point, a fast-paced, high-energy guard known for his unorthodox shot-making abilities, the Buccaneers all-time leading scorer with 2,300 career points. Named first team Atlantic Sun and chosen as the 2006 A-Sun Player of the Year. He led the team and conference with 22.0 points per game ranked 14th nationally in scoring first in the league and second nationally in steals with 3.4 a game. He netted 21 points in his final game as a Buc, a loss to Gardner-Webb in the first round of the Atlantic Sun Conference tournament (3/2). He scored a game-high 26 points against Tennessee, hitting on 11-of-22 shots and dishing out eight assists (11/18). He has eclipsed 20 points 40 times in his career.< :p="">
Darius Washington Jr., University of Memphis
6-2, Guard, Sophomore, Winter Park, Fla.
A 2005-06 Associated Press All-America honorable mention pick. Selected to the 2006 NCAA Tournament All-Regional (Oakland) Team. A 2005-06 All-Conference USA first team pick. One of 16 finalists for the 2006 Bob Cousy Award, given to the nation s top point guard. A 2005-06 Wooden Award and Naismith Award preseason candidate. Second on team in scoring (13.4 ppg), assists (110) and free throw percentage (78.3). Averaged 2.8 rebounds and shot 35.7 percent from the three-point line. Also had 45 steals. Became the 41st player in Memphis basketball history to reach the 1,000-point milestone, has 1,054 career points and is No. 34 on the Tiger all-time scoring chart. Posted first collegiate double-double with 22 points and 10 assists (career high) in an 83-72 win over Gonzaga in 2005-06. Netted double figures in 26 games. Named Conference USA Player of the Week following his performance vs. Providence (20 points/3 rebs/4 asts/2 stls) in mid-December. Played the first half of the 2005-06 season with a deep thigh contusion. Missed two games and played limited minutes in several other contests as a result of the injury.
Shawne Williams, University of Memphis
6-9, Freshman, Forward, Memphis
A consensus national Freshman All-America Team pick. 2005-06 Conference USA Freshman of the Year. An All-Conference USA third team selection. 2006 Conference USA Tournament MVP. Team s third-leading scorer (13.2 ppg) and second-leading rebounder (6.2 rpg). Shot a team-high 78.6% from the free throw line. Had 67 assists, 49 blocks and 50 steals. Named national Freshman of the Week by Rivals.com and ESPN.com following his performance in the NIT Season Tip-Off in late November. Netted double figures in 26 of the Tigers 37 games. Posted five double-doubles in 2005-06. Two double-doubles came in victories over Gonzaga (14 pts /11 rebs) and Tennessee (21 pts/14 rebs). The 14 rebounds vs. the Volunteers were a career high. Netted a career-high 26 points vs. UCLA in the NIT Season Tip-Off in late November. Averaged 18.0 points and 6.7 rebounds in the 2006 Conference USA Tournament (three games).
