OXFORD, Miss. – The Ole Miss men’s basketball team celebrated its 24-win season and NIT Semifinals appearance with its annual awards banquet on Tuesday night at the Oxford Conference Center.
Approximately 175 members of the team, staff and Rebel supporters gathered to celebrate a season that saw the Rebels amass the second-most wins in school history, make their first trip to the Final Four of the National Invitation Tournament and pile up over 25 school records along the way.
Emceed by Ole Miss Radio commentator Pete Cordelli, the night included the players being presented with commemorative NIT watches, a video recap of season highlights and several award presentations.
Dwayne Curtis took home team MVP honors for his outstanding senior season, while head coach Andy Kennedy recognized each senior (Curtis, Jermey Parnell, Brian Smith and Kenny Williams) and noted that their contributions on the court and leadership off the court were the driving forces behind the 2007-08 success.
Defensive Player of the Year honors went to Eniel Polynice, while Curtis grabbed the Leading Rebounder award and Chris Warren was honored as the Newcomer of the Year and presented with the Free Throw Percentage award.
A highlight of the evening came when former Rebel hoopster and current Associate Athletics Director Derek Horne presented Smith with the Denver Brackeen “Ball of Courage,” which goes to a player who exhibits the outstanding character and integrity of the late Rebel All-American.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Ole Miss. Record-Breaking Season Celebrated At Men’s Basketball Awards Banquet
OXFORD, Miss. – The Ole Miss men’s basketball team celebrated its 24-win season and NIT Semifinals appearance with its annual awards banquet on Tuesday night at the Oxford Conference Center.
Approximately 175 members of the team, staff and Rebel supporters gathered to celebrate a season that saw the Rebels amass the second-most wins in school history, make their first trip to the Final Four of the National Invitation Tournament and pile up over 25 school records along the way.
Emceed by Ole Miss Radio commentator Pete Cordelli, the night included the players being presented with commemorative NIT watches, a video recap of season highlights and several award presentations.
Dwayne Curtis took home team MVP honors for his outstanding senior season, while head coach Andy Kennedy recognized each senior (Curtis, Jermey Parnell, Brian Smith and Kenny Williams) and noted that their contributions on the court and leadership off the court were the driving forces behind the 2007-08 success.
Defensive Player of the Year honors went to Eniel Polynice, while Curtis grabbed the Leading Rebounder award and Chris Warren was honored as the Newcomer of the Year and presented with the Free Throw Percentage award.
A highlight of the evening came when former Rebel hoopster and current Associate Athletics Director Derek Horne presented Smith with the Denver Brackeen “Ball of Courage,” which goes to a player who exhibits the outstanding character and integrity of the late Rebel All-American.
Approximately 175 members of the team, staff and Rebel supporters gathered to celebrate a season that saw the Rebels amass the second-most wins in school history, make their first trip to the Final Four of the National Invitation Tournament and pile up over 25 school records along the way.
Emceed by Ole Miss Radio commentator Pete Cordelli, the night included the players being presented with commemorative NIT watches, a video recap of season highlights and several award presentations.
Dwayne Curtis took home team MVP honors for his outstanding senior season, while head coach Andy Kennedy recognized each senior (Curtis, Jermey Parnell, Brian Smith and Kenny Williams) and noted that their contributions on the court and leadership off the court were the driving forces behind the 2007-08 success.
Defensive Player of the Year honors went to Eniel Polynice, while Curtis grabbed the Leading Rebounder award and Chris Warren was honored as the Newcomer of the Year and presented with the Free Throw Percentage award.
A highlight of the evening came when former Rebel hoopster and current Associate Athletics Director Derek Horne presented Smith with the Denver Brackeen “Ball of Courage,” which goes to a player who exhibits the outstanding character and integrity of the late Rebel All-American.
Harrellson Signs with Wildcats
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky men's basketball has signed junior college transfer Josh Harrellson to a National Letter of Intent, head coach Billy Gillispie announced on Wednesday.
Harrellson, 6-9 and a native of St. Charles, Mo., spent his freshman season at Southwestern Illinois College where he averaged 14.8 points and eight rebounds per game in leading the Blue Storm to the Region XXIV Championship game. He was selected to the NJCAA All-Region XXIV team as well as being named a First Team All-Great Rivers Athletic Conference (GRAC) performer.
"We're extremely happy to have Josh become a part of our basketball family," said Gillispie. "He's a guy who continues to improve and will fill a need for us next year. My excitement is growing about the prospects of next year's team.
"Josh has a ton of potential, and possesses a great basketball IQ. One of the most appealing things about him is that he has three years left coming out of junior college.
"When he came on his visit to Kentucky, he loved it here. It went unbelievably well because our current players did a great job of making him feel a part of our family, and Josh meshed with them immediately. He kept talking about the fans and the exposure. I like having guys who look forward to accepting the challenge of playing at a place like Kentucky."
A graduate of St. Charles High School in St. Louis, Mo., Harrellson averaged 18.1 points, 11.0 rebounds and 3.4 blocks per game as a senior.
Harrellson is the fourth member of Kentucky's 2008 signing class, joining Kevin Galloway (Sacramento, Calif.), DeAndre Liggins (Chicago, Ill.) and Darius Miller (Maysville, Ky.).
The National Letter of Intent signing period runs through May 21.
Harrellson, 6-9 and a native of St. Charles, Mo., spent his freshman season at Southwestern Illinois College where he averaged 14.8 points and eight rebounds per game in leading the Blue Storm to the Region XXIV Championship game. He was selected to the NJCAA All-Region XXIV team as well as being named a First Team All-Great Rivers Athletic Conference (GRAC) performer.
"We're extremely happy to have Josh become a part of our basketball family," said Gillispie. "He's a guy who continues to improve and will fill a need for us next year. My excitement is growing about the prospects of next year's team.
"Josh has a ton of potential, and possesses a great basketball IQ. One of the most appealing things about him is that he has three years left coming out of junior college.
"When he came on his visit to Kentucky, he loved it here. It went unbelievably well because our current players did a great job of making him feel a part of our family, and Josh meshed with them immediately. He kept talking about the fans and the exposure. I like having guys who look forward to accepting the challenge of playing at a place like Kentucky."
A graduate of St. Charles High School in St. Louis, Mo., Harrellson averaged 18.1 points, 11.0 rebounds and 3.4 blocks per game as a senior.
Harrellson is the fourth member of Kentucky's 2008 signing class, joining Kevin Galloway (Sacramento, Calif.), DeAndre Liggins (Chicago, Ill.) and Darius Miller (Maysville, Ky.).
The National Letter of Intent signing period runs through May 21.
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