Ap Men's Basketball Player Of The Year
The AP Men's Basketball Player of the Year is an annual award given to the collegiate basketball player who is deemed the best in the country over the course of the season. The award is voted on by a panel of sports writers and broadcasters from around the country, and is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious individual honors in college basketball.
The Criteria for Winning the AP Men's Basketball Player of the Year
In order to be eligible for the AP Men's Basketball Player of the Year, a player must meet a set of criteria that includes:
- Being a full-time student at an NCAA Division I institution
- Playing in at least half of the team's games
- Being named to at least one of the All-American teams
Once a player has met these criteria, he is then eligible to be voted on by the panel of sports writers and broadcasters.
Past Winners of the AP Men's Basketball Player of the Year
Since the award was first given out in 1961, there have been many deserving winners of the AP Men's Basketball Player of the Year award. Some of the most notable winners include:
- Lew Alcindor (1967, 1968) - Alcindor, who later changed his name to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He won the award twice while playing for UCLA.
- Bill Walton (1972, 1973) - Walton is another UCLA legend who won the award twice. He helped lead the Bruins to back-to-back national championships in 1972 and 1973.
- Michael Jordan (1984) - Jordan won the award in his final season at UNC before going on to become one of the greatest NBA players of all time.
- Tim Duncan (1997) - Duncan was a dominant force for Wake Forest during his college career, and went on to have a Hall of Fame career in the NBA with the San Antonio Spurs.
- Kevin Durant (2007) - Durant was a freshman sensation at Texas, averaging 25.8 points and 11.1 rebounds per game. He has since become one of the best players in the NBA.
The Importance of the AP Men's Basketball Player of the Year
The AP Men's Basketball Player of the Year award is important for a number of reasons. First and foremost, it recognizes the best player in college basketball over the course of an entire season. This is not an easy feat, as there are many talented players in college basketball each year.
Winning the award can also help a player's draft stock if he is planning on entering the NBA draft. NBA teams are always looking for players who have a track record of success, and winning the AP Men's Basketball Player of the Year can certainly help in that regard.
The 2021 AP Men's Basketball Player of the Year
The 2021 AP Men's Basketball Player of the Year has not yet been announced, as the college basketball season is still ongoing. However, there are a number of players who are considered front-runners for the award.
One of the most likely candidates is Iowa's Luka Garza. The senior center has been dominant all season, averaging 23.8 points and 8.8 rebounds per game. Garza was also a finalist for the award in the 2019-2020 season.
Another strong candidate is Baylor's Jared Butler. The junior guard has led the Bears to a 21-1 record so far this season, averaging 17.1 points and 5.0 assists per game.
Conclusion
The AP Men's Basketball Player of the Year is one of the most prestigious individual honors in college basketball. Winning the award is a testament to a player's hard work and dedication, and can help him in his future basketball endeavors. As the 2021 college basketball season continues, it will be interesting to see who emerges as the frontrunner for this year's award.
