URI Guard Russell Named to 2021 Bob Cousy Award Watch List
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URI Guard Russell Named to 2021 Bob Cousy Award Watch List
Russell is one of 20 candidates selected for the watch list.
Here are the others:
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST2021 Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year Award Candidates*
Remy Martin - Arizona State
Jared Butler - Baylor
McKinley Wright IV - Colorado
Marcus Zegarowski - Creighton
Jalen Crutcher - Dayton
Scottie Barnes - Florida State
Jalen Suggs - Gonzaga
Ayo Dosunmu - Illinois
Marcus Garrett - Kansas
Javonte Smart - LSU
Cade Cunningham - Oklahoma State
Colbey Ross - Pepperdine
Fatts Russell - Rhode Island
Jacob Gilyard - Richmond
Geo Baker - Rutgers
Bryce Aiken - Seton Hall
Matt Coleman III - Texas
Collin Gillespie - Villanova
Kihei Clark - Virginia
D'Mitrik Trice - Wisconsin
The award is named after Class of 1971 Hall of Famer and former Boston Celtic and Holy Cross guard Bob Cousy, the annual honor now in its 18th year recognizes the top point guards in Division I men's college basketball. A national committee of top college basketball personnel determined the watch list of 20 candidates.
"Since 2004, the Hall of Fame has had the honor of bestowing the Bob Cousy Award on the best point guards in the collegiate game," said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. "The list is comprised of many outstanding student-athletes and we know the fans are very excited to see them take the floor. Starting Five Fan Voting presented by Dell Technologies will allow fans to support their favorite players throughout the season and eventually play a part in helping us to select our winner. We greatly appreciate the support of Dell Technologies, the fans, our selection committee and the namesake of the award, Mr. Bob Cousy."
Russell is one of three players from the Atlantic 10 on the list, along with Dayton's Jalen Crutcher and Richmond's Jacob Gilyard. An All-America candidate heading into 2020-21, Russell has 1,255 career points, leaving him with 745 to become the second player in program history to reach 2,000. Carlton "Silk" Owens - who scored 2,114 points from 1984-88 - is the only current member of the 2,000-point club for Rhode Island.
Russell emerged as one of the nation's best players last season, leading the Rams and finishing third in the Atlantic 10 with 18.8 points per game. He also was second in the country with 2.87 steals per game, and his 86 steals were the second most in a single-season in program history. With 169 career steals entering 2020-21, Russell needs just 38 to tie Keith Cothran's program record of 207, set from 2006-10.
He is a First-Team All-Atlantic 10 selection and a member of the league's All-Defensive Team as a junior, Russell was one of 30 players nationally named to the Citizen Naismith Trophy 2020 Midseason Team. He was one of just 15 players nationally named to the Naismith Trophy Midseason Defensive Player of the Year Team. Russell was the U.S. Basketball Writer's Association District I Player of the Year, as well as a member of the National Association of Basketball Coaches 2019-20 Division I All-District 4 First Team.
Previous Winners
Previous winners of the Bob Cousy Award include Payton Pritchard (Oregon, 2020), Ja Morant (Murray State, 2019), Jalen Brunson (Villanova, 2018), Frank Mason III (Kansas, 2017), Tyler Ulis (Kentucky, 2016), Delon Wright (Utah, 2015), Shabazz Napier (Connecticut, 2014), Trey Burke (Michigan, 2013), Kendall Marshall (North Carolina, 2012), Kemba Walker (Connecticut, 2011), Greivis Vasquez (Maryland, 2010) Ty Lawson (North Carolina, 2009), DJ Augustin (Texas, 2008), Acie Law (Texas A&M, 2007), Dee Brown (Illinois, 2006), Raymond Felton (North Carolina, 2005) and Jameer Nelson (St. Joseph's, 2004).