Did You Know?

Recognized as the most prestigious trophy in college basketball, the Naismith Trophy is rich in tradition and unparalleled in its recognition of success.

DID YOU KNOW….

•  The inaugural Naismith Trophy was awarded in 1969 to UCLA's Lew Alcindor, better known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar ?

•  Naismith Trophy Men's College Players of the Year have won a combined:

•  25 NBA titles?
•  18 NBA MVP Awards?
•  9 Olympic Gold Medals?
•  9 NBA Rookie of the Year Awards?

•  15 Naismith Trophy Men's College Players of the Year have gone on to be #1 draft picks in the NBA?

•  Combined, Naismith Trophy Men's College Players of the Year have played in more than 20,000 NBA games, 95 NBA All-Star games , and scored nearly 360,000 points in the NBA ?

•  5 Naismith Award recipients are also members of the Naismith Hall of Fame?

•  14 Atlantic Coast Conference players have brought home the Trophy, leading all other conferences? Other winners have represented:

Pac-10 – 5
Independent - 1
Atlantic 10 – 3
Missouri Valley Conference – 1
Big Ten – 3
Mountain West Conference – 1
Conference USA – 3
Patriot League – 1
Big 12 – 2
Southeastern Conference - 1
Big East – 1

•  For the first time in college athletics , basketball fans will be given the unprecedented opportunity to take part in the selection of the 2005 player of the year? This year, fan input will make up 25% of the final vote.

Contact: Bret Kovacs , Atlanta Tipoff Club
404-586-9494, bkovacs@macoc.com