Brigham Young University shooting guard Jimmer Fredette has been named the AP Player of the year, after having led the nation in scoring and helped the Cougars achieve one of their best seasons ever.
Fredette, 22, averaged 28.5 points per game this season and helped the BYU cougars achieve a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Cougars went on to lose to Florida in the round of 16, unfortunately, but ended up with a formidable 32-5 season record.
"It's been quite a ride and it's been a lot of fun and I wouldn't take anything back," said Fredette. "I had quite the career at BYU. There were a lot of ups and downs, but there were a lot more ups this year."
"I just knew right from the beginning we could have a very good year with the guys returning, and it was one of the most talented teams I've ever played on," said Fredette. "Then we started to play well and beat Arizona, and I knew from there we could be a force. That's what happened because we stayed hungry all year, and that's what separated us from other teams."
Fredette received 48 of 65 possible votes from the national media panel that selects the weekly AP Top 25. The voting was done before the NCAA Tournament started.
Fredette has also been named the player of the year by the Basketball Times, Sports Illustrated, and Sporting News.
"To see Jimmer progress and become a leader of his team, that will be his basketball legacy," said BYU coach Dave Rose. "He is driven not just to be the best player he can, but it was how he helped his teammates to win. He always found a way. That's what I'll remember most."
So what's next for Fredette? According to him, he hopes for a successful NBA career.
"I just feel like as long as I can get into the right situation I can be successful, but it's all about the situation," he said. "Hopefully when I get in that situation I'll prove that I can play and earn the respect of my teammates, coaches and general manager, everybody involved, and hopefully play well for them."
(Sources: ESPN.com)
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