Monday, February 25, 2013

Valparaiso senior forward Ryan Broekhoff (Frankston, Victoria, Australia/Australian Institute of Sport) was named Monday as one of 25 finalists for the Lou Henson Award, which honors the top mid-major player in college basketball. Fans can participate in the fan vote, which accounts for one-third of the final vote, by visiting VoteLouHenson.com.

Broekhoff is up for the honor in the midst of a stellar senior season, which includes having received the Lou Henson Award mid-season award. He currently ranks among the league's top-10 in six different categories, including third in scoring (16.0 ppg) and second in rebounding (7.5 rpg). The four-time Horizon League Player of the Week and reigning HL Player of the Year has helped the Crusaders to the brink of a second consecutive league regular season crown.

The Lou Henson Award is presented annually to the top Mid-Major player in Division I college basketball. The award is named in honor of Lou Henson who retired after a spectacular coaching career that lasted 41 years. When he left the game in 2005 he was sixth all-time in career Division I wins with 779. He is the winningest coach at both Illinois and New Mexico State. He is one of only 12 coaches in the history of the game to take two schools to the Final Four.

The 2013 Award will be presented at the CollegeInsider.com awards banquet in Atlanta, site of the men's NCAA Basketball Championship.