Tuesday, March 22, 2005
Wayne Simien has something to smile about. Not that receiving endless postseason accolades erases the pain of the Jayhawks’ 64-63 loss to Bucknell, but Simien’s resume is certainly something to be proud of.
The Leavenworth native was named to the Associated Press’ All-American first-team on Tuesday. Simien is the first Jayhawk to receive the honor since Nick Collison in 2003.
Simien is joined on the first-team by Utah's Andrew Bogut, sophomore forward, Duke's J.J. Reddick, junior guard, Wake Forest's Chris Paul, sophomore guard, and Syracuse's Hakim Warrick, senior forward.
Simien credited his teammates and coaches for his success.
“It’s a great honor being on the same list with such great players,” Simien said. “I wouldn’t have been able to do it without my teammates and a great coach like Coach Self.”
Despite having an injury plagued career with Kansas, Simien still finished his career 12th in all-time scoring and seventh in rebounding for the Jayhawks. Simien missed a combined 28 games during his first three years at Kansas, the majority of them during his sophomore season when he sat out 22 games with a shoulder injury.
Simien missed four games early in his senior season after having thumb surgery on his left thumb. Regardless of the injuries, the man his teammates nicknamed “Big Dub” averaged 20.3 points and 11 rebounds during his career. Simien also shot over 81 percent from the free throw line.
His numbers speak for themselves, but Self said Big Dub’s best quality was one that couldn’t be coached: a great attitude.
“He had the best year of any player I have ever coached,” Self said. “It’s amazing the adversity he has been through but he remains so positive. His play is a direct reflection of his attitude.”
The balloting for the All-American team was conducted by 72 media members who vote in the AP’s weekly press poll, and was conducted before the start of NCAA tournament play. Simien’s 289 points was the third most points received by any player, including 45 first-team votes, according to the Associated Press.
Bogut received the most points with 330 and Reddick was second with 308 points.
Earlier in the week Simien was named one of four finalists for the Naismith Award, given annually to the best college player in the nation.
Paul, Reddick and Bogut were the other three finalists for the Naismith Award. The winner will be announced April 4, at the Final Four in St. Louis.
Simien is also one of 23 finalists for the Wooden Award, an honor named after John R. Wooden, which is presented to the top collegiate basketball player. The Wooden Award will be presented April 9 in Los Angeles.
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