Denzel Valentine has been named National Player of the Year by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC). He's the second Spartan in the last five years to be recognized by the NABC, as Draymond Green received the award in 2012. Shawn Respert was the first Spartan to receive the NABC National Player of the Year Award, capturing the honor in 1995.
"To get an award from the coaches shows the respect they have for me. I'm humbled because I didn't know they thought of me like that," said Valentine. "To be recognized by Hall of Fame coaches, high major coaches and everyone that coaches college basketball is quite an honor. I'm a big fan of college basketball and its history, and I admire many of the great coaches in the game. So when I get the chance to play against Coach K last year or Bill Self this year or any of the great coaches in the Big Ten it's a thrill. These are the guys that I've been watching on TV for years, and for them to honor me, that's big time."
"Being recognized by the coaches is a great honor for Denzel. I see it as the ultimate sign of respect for his game," said MSU head coach Tom Izzo. "I'm obviously prejudiced in my opinion but I would imagine that they appreciated the manner in which he impacted the game in so many different ways. His versatility and leadership have certainly made my job easier over the last few years, and especially during his special senior season. It's been a privilege to coach him and watch him develop, through his own hard work, into a great player."
It's the fifth National Player of the Year award for Valentine, as he's previously been recognized by Basketball Times, Sports Illustrated, USA Today Sports and NBC Sports.
Valentine averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 7.8 assists in becoming the only player in NCAA history to average 19 points, seven rebounds and seven assists since the assist became an official statistic in 1983-84. He is the first player to lead the Big Ten in overall scoring and assists since Iowa's Andre Woolridge in 1997. He ranks fourth in the nation in assists (7.8 apg), eighth in 3-point field goals per game (3.35) and 11th in 3-point field-goal percentage (.444).
His senior season began on a strong note, posting his first career triple-double in the second game of the season with 29 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists against Kansas. Nine days later, he posted another triple-double with 29 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists against Boston College. Valentine led the Big Ten with 12 double-doubles. In games which he started, Valentine made or assisted on 50.9 percent of Michigan State's field goals. His 241 assists rank as the third-best single-season total at MSU and the most by a Spartan senior, while his 104 made 3-pointers are the fourth-best single-season total. His 19.2 ppg scoring average is the best at Michigan State since Maurice Ager averaged 19.3 in 2005-06.
Valentine finished his career with 1,645 points, 856 rebounds and 639 assists, becoming the first player in Big Ten history to record 1,300 points, 700 rebounds and 500 assists. In MSU history, he ranks third in career assists (639), third in career games played (144), fourth in career 3-point field goals made (265) and attempted (650), ninth in career rebounds (856), tied for ninth in career games started (117) and 11th in career scoring (1,645). He is the only player in Michigan State history to rank in the career Top 10 in both assists and rebounds.
Postseason awards are quickly accumulating for Valentine. In addition to his most recent accolades, he's been named First-Team All-America by the NABC, USBWA, Sporting News, USA TODAY Sports and Sports Illustrated. He became the eighth Spartan to be named Big Ten Player of the Year and he was a unanimous First-Team All-Big Ten selection. He followed by leading MSU to a Big Ten Tournament Championship and earning Most Outstanding Player honors. In addition, he was named the USBWA All-District V Player of the Year.
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