Dec. 17, 2009

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts announced this week the candidates for the 2010 Bob Cousy Award presented by The Hartford Financial Services. The annual award, named for Hall of Famer and former Boston Celtic Bob Cousy, recognizes college basketball’s top point guard. 72 candidates have been nominated for the 2010 award. South Carolina senior point guard Devan Downey has been named a candidate for this year’s award.

Downey most recently led Carolina with 18 points in its victory over Richmond on Dec. 16. He was also named a candidate for the Cousy Award for the 2007-08 season.

This original list of candidates will be narrowed down to a final 20 by January 1st, final 10 by February 1st, and final five by March 1st. A Hall of Fame appointed screening committee will be narrowing down the candidates from 20 to 10 to 5 prior to the Blue Ribbon Selection Committee evaluating the final five candidates and ultimately choosing the winner. These Hall of Fame committees are made up of top college basketball personnel including media members, head coaches, Sports Information Directors and Hall of Famers. The winner of the 2010 Bob Cousy Award presented by The Hartford will be presented at the Hall of Fame’s Class Announcement on Monday April 5th in Indianapolis as part of NCAA Final Four weekend.