University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pittsburgh Honors Men's Basketball Team With Season-Ending Awards Banquet
4/15/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Pittsburgh Honors Men's Basketball Team With Season-Ending Awards Banquet
4/15/2003
PITTSBURGH- For the second consecutive season, Brandin Knight was named the University of Pittsburgh?s Most Valuable Player as the school honored its 2002-03 Big East Conference champion men?s basketball team with its annual awards banquet Tuesday at the Downtown Hilton. A record-setting crowd of approximately 500 alums, fans, coaches, family members, support staff and student-athletes attended the event.
The event featured an inspiring highlight video of the season, a speech from Interim Athletic Director Marc Boehm and a standing ovation for new head coach Jamie Dixon. Pittsburgh Panthers radio play-by-play voice Bill Hillgrove served as Master of Ceremonies.
Eight team awards were announced by head coach Jamie Dixon. Knight was named team Most Valuable Player for the second straight year after leading the Panthers in assists (6.3 apg), steals (2.1 spg) and averaging 11.2 points per game. Sophomore forward Chevon Troutman took home two awards including the team Rebounding Award (5.1 rpg) and Coaches Award for team sacrifice. Junior guard/forward Jaron Brown was named the team?s Most Inspirational Player, junior guard Julius Page earned the team?s Best Defensive Player, senior forward Donatas Zavackas was awarded as the team?s Free Throw Shooting Leader (.809 FTpct.) and freshman Carl Krauser was named Most Improved Player. Knight and fellow senior Ontario Lett were recognized with the Captain?s Award for leadership.
Pittsburgh finished the 2002-03 season with a 28-5 overall and 13-3 Big East Conference record. The Panthers won their first-ever Big East Tournament title, captured their second consecutive Big East West title and league regular season championship, finished a perfect 16-0 at the brand-new Petersen Events Center and currently have a 22-game home win streak in tact. In addition, the senior trio of Brandin Knight, Ontario Lett and Donatas Zavackas put together the winningest four-year period in Pittsburgh basketball history.
TEAM AWARDS
Most Improved Player: Carl Krauser
Best Defensive Player: Julius Page
Captain?s Award: Brandin Knight, Ontario Lett
Team Rebounding Leader: Chevon Troutman
Free Throw Shooting Leader: Donatas Zavackas
Most Inspirational Player: Jaron Brown
Coaches Award: Chevon Troutman
Most Valuable Player: Brandin Knight
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