Dec. 20, 2010

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass., announced today the candidates for the 2011 Bob Cousy Award. The annual award, named for Hall of Famer and former Boston Celtic Bob Cousy, recognizes college basketball’s top point guard. South Carolina freshman point guard Bruce Ellington is among 66 in contention for the 2011 award.

Ellington leads the Gamecocks with 12.6 points and 4.2 assists per game this season. He has posted double-figure points in five contests, including a season high of 22 at then-No. 2/2 Michigan State in mid-November.

The original list of candidates will be narrowed down to a final 20 by January 3rd, final 10 by February 3rd, and final five by March 3rd. A Hall of Fame appointed screening committee will be narrowing down the candidates from 20 to 10 to 5 prior to a Blue Ribbon Selection Committee evaluating the final five candidates and ultimately choosing the winner. Both of the Hall of Fame committee’s are made up of top college basketball personnel including media members, head coaches, Sports Information Directors and Hall of Famers. The winner of the 2011 Bob Cousy Award will be presented at the Hall of Fame’s Class Announcement on Monday April 4th in Houston as part of NCAA Final Four weekend.