Payton Pritchard did not hold back when discussing how he sees himself in comparison to the best collegiate basketball players of this year.
On Tuesday, Pritchard received yet another trophy to add to his growing collection when he was announced as the Bob Cousy Award recipient, which is granted to the best point guard in the country. CollegeInsider.com previously awarded Pritchard the Lute Olson Award, which is presented to the best player in the country.
“To see all the effort and hours put in the gym pay off, to win this award means a lot,” Pritchard stated. “Winning is a requirement for receiving awards like these, and it requires a team effort.”
After being chosen for the first team of the National Association of Basketball Coaches, the Associated Press, Sporting News, and the United States Basketball Writers Association’s second team, Pritchard was named unanimously to the all-American team. Pritchard is the first unanimous all-American for the Ducks since John Dick in 1940.
As only the fourth player in conference history to lead the league in both assists and scoring, Pritchard was named Pac-12 Player of the Year.
He became one of just three players in the country to average at least 20 points, five assists, and four rebounds per game with his average of 20.5 points, 5.6 assists, and 4.3 rebounds per game.
Oregon coach Dana Altman remarked, “This is really a great honour for Payton and his teammates.” Any award given to a point guard should also acknowledge the contributions and achievements of his teammates. It is fantastic for our programme to get an award with the esteemed Bob Cousy name.
Every year, there is only one winner, and as time passes, the historical significance of that person grows.
To earn the Cousy Award, Pritchard defeated Markus Howard of Marquette, Tre Jones of Duke, Devon Dotson of Kansas, and Malachi Flynn of San Diego State.
In 2015, he joined Utah’s Delon Wright as the only Pac-12 player to win the honour since it was first given out in 2004.
Cousy said of Boston Celtics 13-time NBA All-Star Payton Pritchard, “He was the ultimate point guard this season, knowing when to make the pass and when to score.”He led the outstanding Pac-12 Conference in passing and assists, and he always seemed to step up when his team needed him most.
“Congratulations to Payton on an amazing season and collegiate career.
