The Courier-Journal from Louisville, Kentucky • Page C12

12C lllSUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2015 KY THE COURIER-JOURNALlll SPORTS 2015 HomeFinder.com SWEEPSTAKES LOS Frank Kaminsky of national runner-up Wisconsin and Breanna Stewart of three-time national champion Connecticut won the John R. Wooden Award as national college basketball players of the year Friday night. They received their trophies uring the first College Basket- all Awards nationally tele- ised show from Club Nokia in downtown Los Angeles. For Kaminsky, it was the last in a raft of player of the year awards the senior center picked up this season. His name was announced by Greg Wooden, a randson of the late UCLA coach.

Earlier in the evening, Kaminsky accepted the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year trophy from the retired Lakers star. been an unbelievable journey. I never thought be in this said Kaminsky, who barely played his first two years in college. awesome being Kaminsky led the Badgers to the Big Ten regular-season and ournament titles, and the CAA Tournament champions hip game, where they lost to uke after upsetting undefeated and No. 1Kentucky in the semifinals.

He averaged 18.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists a nd 1.5 blocks. named camaraderie and he relationships he made on the team as two of his favorite emories. the basketball as fun, said Kaminsky, who is the first Badgers player win the Wooden Award. He received 3,385 points in oting from nearly 1,000 national college basketball experts a nd online fan voting. Jahlil Okafor of Duke fin- i shed second with 3,060 points.

Willie Cauley-Stein of Kentucky as third at 2,361. Jerian Grant of Notre Dame finished fourth at 1,870, and Louisville native Russell of Ohio State was fifth at 1,583. aminsky was accompanied by his parents and coach Bo yan. Asked about playing for his veteran coach, Kaminsky ited sense of humor and mean he can as memorable traits. so awesome to look back at everything we accom- he said.

so grateful to the University of Wiscon- in for helping me along that the side, Stewart accepted her trophy from retired UCLA star and Wooden family friend Ann Meyers Drysdale. To win an award with John name on it is an unbe- ievable she said. just shows a lot of hard work pays Stewart averaged 17.6 points, 7.8 rebounds and 3.1as- sists for the Huskies, who fin- i shed 38-1and won their games an average of 40.6 points. The junior has won the national title every year of her college career. Stewart received 469 points.

Jewell Loyd of Notre Dame was second at 440. Tiffany Mitchell of South Carolina finished third at 296, followed by Nina Davis of Baylor with 239. eammate, Kaleena Mosqueda- ewis, was fifth at 234. tewart is the fourth winner from Connecticut, joining Maya Moore in 2009 and 2011and Tina Charles in 2010. Other winners were: Louisville native Russell of Ohio State, Jerry est Shooting Guard of the Year.

The freshman led the Buckeyes into the NCAA Tournament, where they lost to Arizona in the third round. Delon Wright of Utah, Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year. The senior helped the Utes reach the final 16 of the NCAA Tournament, where they lost to eventual national champion Duke. Stanley Johnson of Arizona, Julius Erving Small For- ard of the Year. The freshman ed the Wildcats with 13.8 oints.

He helped them reach he West Regional final of the NCAA Tournament, where they lost to Wisconsin and fell a game short of the Final Four for the econd straight year. Montrezl Harrell of Louis- ille, Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year. The junior elped the Cardinals reach their fifth NCAA regional final i eight years, where they lost to Michigan State in overtime. He layed on 2013 national championship team and is eaded to the NBA draft. Steve Fisher of San Diego tate, Legends of Coaching.

Fisher has guided the Aztecs to he NCAA Tournament eight times. The award is given to a oach who exemplifies success and personal integrity. COLLEGE BASKETBALL Kaminsky, Stewart take Wooden honors AP Wisconsin forward Frank Kaminsky capped off a big senior season by winning the John R. Wooden Award on riday night in Los Angeles. Breanna Stewart of Connecticut won the award.

By Beth Harris Associated Press.