University of Memphis Athletics
Williams Named Conference USA Freshman of the Year
Mar 07, 2006 | Men's Basketball
March 7, 2006
DALLAS, Texas - University of Memphis forward Shawne Williams was named Conference USA Freshman of the Year, the league office announced Tuesday. Williams was also selected to the C-USA All-Freshman Team, and fellow teammate Chris Douglas-Roberts joined him on the squad. The C-USA Freshman of the Year and All-Freshman Team were voted on by the league's coaches and select media members.
It is the third-straight year and the fourth time in the last six seasons that a Memphis player earned C-USA Freshman of the Year honors. Other recent Tigers to receive the accolade were Dajuan Wagner in 2002, Sean Banks in 2004 and Darius Washington Jr. in 2005. It is also the sixth-consecutive year that Memphis has placed at least one player on the league's All-Freshman Team. It is the second-straight year that two Tiger freshmen made the squad, as Joey Dorsey and Washington earned the recognition last season.
Williams leads all C-USA freshmen in scoring with a 13.0 average (third on team). He is second on the squad in rebounding (6.3 rpg) and has 41 blocked shots and 41 steals. The Memphis, Tenn., native is the Tigers' top free throw shooter at 78.1 percent. Earlier this year, Williams earned Rivals.com National Freshman of the Week honors. Williams was selected to the All-Conference USA third team on Monday.
Douglas-Roberts played in 29 of the Tigers' 30 games this year. The Detroit, Mich., native is averaging 8.8 points and 3.5 boards, while shooting 51.4 percent from the field and 73.9 percent from the foul line. His field goal percentage ranks in the top five in Conference USA, and his free throw percentage is among the top 10 in the league.
The following are the Conference USA postseason honors released Tuesday:
2005-06 ALL-CONFERENCE USA FRESHMAN TEAM
Courtney Beasley, Southern Miss, G, 6-3, 220, Fr., Huntsville, Ala.
Chris Douglas-Roberts, Memphis, G, 6-5, 180, Fr., Detroit, Mich.
Sam Hinnant, East Carolina, G, 6-4, 195, Fr., Charlotte, N.C.
Markel Humphrey, Marshall, G, 6-5, 215, Fr., Stockbridge, Ga.
Shawne Williams, Memphis, F/G, 6-9, 205, Fr., Memphis, Tenn.
2005-06 FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Shawne Williams, Memphis
2005-06 DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Squeaky Johnson, UAB
2005-06 SIXTH MAN OF THE YEAR
Anthony Price, Tulsa
