Michigan State University Athletics
Valentine Named Senior CLASS Finalist
2/18/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Michigan State senior guard Denzel Valentine has been named one of 10 finalists for the 2015-16 Senior CLASS Award. To be eligible for the award, student-athletes must be classified as NCAA Division I seniors and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence: community, classroom, character and competition.
Valentine leads the Big Ten in both scoring (19.5 ppg), assists (7.7 apg), defensive rebounds (6.8 drpg) and 3-point field goals made (3.5 pg), while ranking third in free-throw percentage (.846), tied for third in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.8), sixth in 3-point field-goal percentage (.447) and tied for sixth in rebounds (7.7 rpg). He has recorded two triple-doubles in addition to five more double-doubles this season, and is on pace to become the first player since at least 1996-97 to average 17 points, seven rebounds and six assists in a single season.
Other finalists include Ryan Arcidiacono (Villanova), Malcolm Brogdon (Virginia), Perry Ellis (Kansas), Buddy Hield (Oklahoma), Georges Niang (Iowa State), Marcus Paige (North Carolina), Justin Sears (Yale), Fred VanVleet (Wichita State), and Kyle Wiltjer (Gonzaga).
The finalists were chosen by national media from the list of 30 men's candidates and 30 women's candidates announced in January. Nationwide fan voting begins immediately to help select the winner, and fans are encouraged to submit votes online at www.seniorCLASSaward.com through March 21. Fan votes will be combined with those of the media and Division I head coaches to determine the winners. The Senior CLASS Award recipients will be announced during the 2016 NCAA Men's Final Four and NCAA Women's Final Four.
