April 20, 2007
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA. - The Penn State basketball team named junior Geary Claxton (West Haven, Conn.) and sophomore Jamelle Cornley (Columbus, Ohio) co-Most Valuable Players and seniors Ben Luber (Richboro, Pa.) and David Jackson (Gaithersburg, Md.) were honored at the Nittany Lions' 28th annual banquet Friday evening at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center.
Penn State Director of Athletics Tim Curley, Nittany Lion Head Coach Ed DeChellis and special guest speaker John Amaechi, a five-year NBA veteran and 1995 All-Big Ten selection at Penn State, were among those that spoke to a gathering of nearly 300.
Claxton and Cornley are the first players presented the John Lawther Most Valuable Player Award since the 2004 season. The pair combined to produce 47 percent of Penn State's scoring and rebounding in Big Ten games last season and one of the two led the team in scoring in all but five games and in rebounding in all but two for the season.
Claxton earned All-Big Ten honors for the second consecutive season earning second team honors from the media and third from the coaches. He led Penn State averaging 16.3 ppg and 8.0 rpg and finished the season as one of two players to rank in the top five in scoring and rebounding in the Big Ten ranking fifth and second, respectively. He posted eight double-doubles and seven 20-point games on the year.
Cornley, the 2006 Big Ten Freshman of the Year, earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors from the coaches and media and ranked second on the team averaging 13.5 ppg and 6.7 rpg. Cornley led the Big Ten averaging 36.07 minutes per game while playing in all 30 games on the season. He had five double-doubles and six 20-point games on the year.
Claxton was also honored with the John Egli Mr. Defense Award for the second straight season and was presented a ball commemorating his becoming the 27th 1,000-point scorer in Penn State history. Entering his final season, Claxton ranks 12th all-time with 1,262 career points and is the 15th Nittany Lion to record at least 1,000 points and 500 rebounds for a career.
Junior guard Mike Walker (Lewisberry, Pa.) was presented the Lou Lamie Most Inspirational Player Award for exemplary conduct, attitude, interest and loyalty to the team. Walker averaged 6.3 ppg and was second on the team with 46 threes. Walker played in all 30 games and started the last three including a career-high 22-point performance in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament in which he made a tournament record seven threes.
Junior forward Brandon Hassell (Farmersville, Ohio) was honored as the Most Improved Player. Hassell posted career best averages of 5.6 ppg and 4.3 rpg while starting 25 games and playing in 29 on the year.
Sophomore Danny Morrissey (Cleveland, Ohio) was presented the Coaches Award for best exemplifying the Penn State tradition of positive team attitude. Morrissey returned after missing the 2005-06 season with a knee injury to lead the Lions making 64 three-pointers and rank third on the team averaging 9.6 ppg. His 49.3 percent shooting from three in Big Ten games led the conference.
Sophomore Will Leiner (Coplay, Pa.) was presented the Scrappiest Player Award for displaying mental and physical toughness.
Curley recognized the record eight Nittany Lions to earn Academic All-Big Ten recognition for the season and presented the Scholastic Achievement Award to sophomore Joonas Suotamo (Espoo, Finland).
Team physician Dr. Doug Aukerman was honored with the Dave Phillips Memorial Unsung Hero Award presented to an individual who doesn't receive much publicity but contributes to the team's character.
2007 PENN STATE BASKETBALL BANQUET AWARDS:
John Lawther Team MVP: Geary Claxton & Jamelle Cornley
John Egli Mr. Defense: Geary Claxton
Scrappiest Player: Will Leiner
Lou Lamie Most Inspirational: Mike Walker
Most Improved: Brandon Hassell
Coaches Award: Danny Morrissey
Dave Phillips Memorial Unsung Hero: Dr. Doug Aukerman