University of Memphis Athletics
Sean Banks Named To 2004-05 Wooden Award Preseason List
Aug 06, 2004 | Men's Basketball
Aug. 6, 2004
LOS ANGELES, Calif. - Sean Banks, a rising sophomore on the Memphis Tiger hoops team, has been named one of 50 preseason candidates for the 2004-05 John Wooden Award, given to the nation's top college player. The 2004 ESPN.com National Freshman of the Year, Banks had a stellar campaign in 2003-04. The Englewood, N.J., native led the Tigers in scoring (17.4 ppg) and rebounding (6.5 rpg), and ranked among the Conference USA statistical leaders in scoring (2nd), rebounding (11th), three-point field goal percentage (12th) and blocked shots (13th). The 6-foot-8 forward led all league freshmen in scoring and rebounding. Banks scored 20 or more points 12 times in 2003-04, including the final six games of the regular season, and netted a career-high 29 points against Charlotte Jan. 17. Banks is the only player in Memphis basketball history to hit at least six three-pointers in a game on four different occasions. Banks was a consensus National All-Freshman Team pick in 2004. In addition to the ESPN.com honor, he was also named to the CollegeInsider.com, Sporting News and Basketball Times National All-Freshman squads. Banks was selected as Conference USA's Freshman of the Year, and was tabbed an All-Conference USA first team member. The John R. Wooden Award Preseason Committee conducted a national poll to determine the top 50 preseason candidates for the 2004-2005 Wooden Award All-American Team. The top 50 candidates were selected based on last year's individual performances and team records. The student-athletes selected are all returning players. Incoming freshman and transfer students were not included. In mid January, the Wooden Award committee will release the Midseason Top 30 on CBS Sports. Those players on the midseason list will be placed on the national ballot. On Mar. 29, 2005, the 10-player Wooden Award All-American Team will be announced. One member of the Wooden Award All-American Team will be selected on Apr. 9, 2005, as the recipient of the Wooden Award Trophy as the nation's "Most Outstanding Collegiate Basketball Player of the Year." The event will be televised live from The Los Angeles Athletic Club on CBS Sports. For more information, visit WoodenAward.com. Banks is one of five players from Conference USA named to the preseason Wooden list. Marquette's Travis Diener, Louisville's Francisco Garcia, Cincinnati's Jason Maxiell and Charlotte's Curtis Withers also were named preseason Wooden candidates.
