LOS ANGELES – Coming off a stellar season that included guiding his team to the Atlantic Coast Conference title and a trip to the Sweet 16, Duke University guard J.J. Redick was named college basketball player of the year and presented with the prestigious John R. Wooden Award in a ceremony this morning at The Los Angeles Athletic Club. Wooden Award “Legends of Coaching” recipient Jim Boeheim of Syracuse University made the announcement during a national CBS telecast of the “John R. Wooden Award Show Presented by TIAA-CREF”.

“Throughout the season J.J. dominated opponents and showed unmatched heart while leading Duke to the Sweet 16,” said Duke Llewellyn, Wooden Award chairman. “Not only is he an exceptional college basketball player, but he is also a tremendous student who displays the utmost character, and we are proud to add his name to the elite list of Wooden Award winners.”

A 2004-05 Wooden Award All-American, Redick finished ahead of other finalists including Gonzaga’s Adam Morrison, Villanova’s Randy Foye, Washington’s Brandon Roy, and fellow Duke teammate Shelden Williams (see attached for complete vote tabulation). The ceremony also featured LSU’s Seimone Augustus receiving the Women’s Wooden Award, and Syracuse Coach Jim Boeheim who received the 2006 John R. Wooden “Legends of Coaching” Award.

Redick guided the Blue Devils to a 32-4 record and finished second in the nation in scoring (26.8 ppg) while shooting 47 percent from the field, 42 percent from 3-point range and 85 percent from the free throw line. He was named ACC Player of the Year for the second consecutive season and finished as the ACC’s all-time leading scorer with 2,769 points. Redick is the sixth Duke player to win the Wooden Award.

A panel of over 1,000 voters comprised of sports media members and college basketball experts from around the nation had until 3 p.m. EST on Monday, March 27, to cast their votes for both the 10-member All-American Team and Wooden Award recipient as the most outstanding collegiate basketball player in the United States. In addition to on-court performance, voters were also asked to make their selections based on each candidate’s character and academic performance, essential components of the Wooden Award. As a part of the voting process, committee members were asked to rank their top 10 All-Americans in order of preference, with the top five vote getters nominated as Wooden Award finalists. The Wooden Award opts for the March 27 deadline because it allows voters to evaluate players up until the Final Four has been determined.

The top five finalists will receive a contribution from the John R. Wooden Award Scholarship Fund in their name to their university’s general scholarship fund.