MSU sophomore guard Chris Hill was named to the Wooden Award Preseason All-American Team.
As one of the 50 selections, Hill is a candidate for the John R. Wooden Award, which is awarded to the nation’s top player and is one of college basketball’s coveted individual honors.
Illinois forward Brian Cook, Indiana guard Tom Coverdale, Purdue guard Willie Deane and Wisconsin guard Kirk Penney joined Hill as Big Ten representatives.
“I’m completely surprised by this honor, but I take a lot of pride in it,” Hill said in a statement. “It’s a preseason honor, so it gives me something to work for during the season. If I could be on the list at the end of the year, that would mean that not only myself but my team had a great year.”
The 6-foot-3 guard was one of four sophomores named to the team. Texas guard T.J. Ford, Cincinnati forward Jason Maxiel and Notre Dame guard Chris Thomas were the other sophomore candidates.
Last month, Hill was selected to compete with the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Foreign Tour Team. The five-game tour begins Thursday and runs until Aug. 18.
Hill finished his freshman season second on the team in scoring, averaging 11.5 points per game. He connected on 44.6 percent of his three-point attempts, which led the team. He also set MSU freshman records with 66 three-pointers made and 148 three-pointers attempted.
“I am very excited for Chris,” MSU head coach Tom Izzo said in a statement. “He came in last season as a freshman without many accolades. It’s good to see that he is getting some recognition. It’s a start, but now he has to live up to the honor.
“It will be a new challenge for him, but I think he’s ready for it.”
Romando J. Dixson
