Wooden All-Americans Announced

LOS ANGELES - The John R. Wooden Award Committee today announced the 10 student-athletes named to the 2006-2007 Wooden Award All-American Team as well as the top five finalists who will be invited to the 31st Annual Wooden Award presentation in Los Angeles.

The Wooden Award Player of the Year will be announced on Saturday, April 7, live during a national telecast on CBS Sports from The Los Angeles Athletic Club (LAAC) at 2 p.m. EDT.

A panel consisting of more than 1,000 voters including sports media and college basketball experts from across the nation had until 3 p.m. EDT on Monday, March 26 to cast their votes for both the 10-player All-American Team and the Wooden Award Player of the Year as the most outstanding collegiate basketball player in the nation. In addition to on-court performance, voters were asked to base their votes on the student athlete's character and academic performance, essential components of the Wooden Award.

The Wooden Award All-Americans, in alphabetical order, are: Arron Afflalo (UCLA), Aaron Brooks (Oregon), Kevin Durant (Texas), Nick Fazekas (Nevada), Tyler Hansbrough (North Carolina), Acie Law (Texas A&M), Joakim Noah (Florida), Greg Oden (Ohio State), Brandon Rush (Kansas), and Alando Tucker (Wisconsin).

In total, four seniors, two juniors, two sophomores and two freshmen were selected to the Wooden Award All-American Team. Six conferences are represented on the All-American Team with the Big 12 leading the way with three players, followed by the Pac 10 and the Big Ten with two candidates a piece and the ACC, SEC and WAC all with one representative. For the first time in its 31 year history the Wooden Award top five finalists will feature two freshmen, Kevin Durant of Texas and Greg Oden of Ohio State.

The five finalists who are invited to Los Angeles for the official Wooden Award Presentation in alphabetical order are Kevin Durant, Tyler Hansbrough, Acie Law, Greg Oden, and Alando Tucker. Durant completed an amazing season in which he led the Big 12 in scoring (25.8 ppg) and rebounding (11.1 rpg) and was named Big 12 Conference Player of the Year. He has recently been named the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Player of the Year.

Aaron Afflalo 6'5" Jr. G UCLA
Aaron Brooks 6'0" Sr. G Oregon
Kevin Durant 6'9" Fr. G/F Texas
Nick Fazekas 6'11" Sr. F Nevada
Tyler Hansbrough 6'9" So. F North Carolina
Acie Law 6'3" Sr. G Texas A&M
Joakim Noah 6'11" Jr. F/C Florida
Greg Oden 7'0" Fr. C Ohio State
Brandon Rush 6'6" So. G Kansas
Alando Tucker 6'6" Sr. F Wisconsin

Top 5 in Alphabetical Order

Kevin Durant 6'9" Fr. G/F Texas
Tyler Hansbrough 6'9" So. F North Carolina
Acie Law 6'3" Sr. G Texas A&M
Greg Oden 7'0" Fr. C Ohio State
Alando Tucker 6'6" Sr. F Wisconsin