Photo courtesy of Duke Photography
DURHAM, N.C. — Duke senior guard Quinn Cook and freshman center Jahlil Okafor were named co-recipients of the Swett-Baylin Most Valuable Player Award at the Duke men’s basketball program’s annual banquet and awards ceremony held Thursday evening in Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Okafor is the third Duke freshman under head coach Mike Krzyzewski to receive team MVP honors, joining Johnny Dawkins who earned the trophy in 1983 and Jabari Parker, who was named the MVP of last season’s team. Okafor, the first freshman in conference history to be named ACC Player of the Year, received two additional team awards throughout the evening, including the Best Field Goal Percentage Award and the Best Rebounding Average Award. Okafor’s shooting percentage led the conference and ranked second in the country after shooting 66.4 percent from the field. Okafor also led the team in rebounding, and ranked fifth in the conference, with 8.5 rebounds per game. The Wayman Tisdale Freshman of the Year became just the second freshman in program history to lead the team in both categories, after Parker achieved the same feat last season.
Cook concluded his career at Duke with career highs in points per game (15.3), made three point field goals (102), three point field goal percentage (.395), made free throws (98) and free throw percentage (.891). Cook, a team captain, received the Bill Krzyzewski Captain’s Award, as well as the Best Free Throw Percentage Award, for his proficiency at the charity stripe. He was also the recipient of the Iron Duke Award for most minutes played.
For the second straight year, sophomore forward Amile Jefferson earned the Dr. Deryl Hart Award as Duke’s top scholar-athlete. Jefferson started in 26 games for Duke this season, averaging 6.1 points per game and 5.8 rebounds per game. Jefferson’s academic prowess was also recognized by the ACC, as he was named to the All-ACC Academic Team, as well. Jefferson was also a recipient of the Bill Krzyzewski Captains’ Award, along with Cook.
Tyus Jones and Justise Winslow contributed immediately for the Blue Devils in their run to the 2015 national championship. Jones’ team-best 5.6 assists per game, and 217 on the season, earned him the Most Assists Award. Jones was also named co-recipient of the Best Free Throw Percentage Award after shooting 88.9 percent from the free throw line during the season. Winslow’s stellar presence on the defensive end of the floor garnered the Best Defensive Player Award. Winslow ranked second on the team in blocks (34) and steals (52).
Duke also received contributions from sophomore Matt Jones and junior Marshall Plumlee. Jones showcased the traits necessary to earn the Pagliuca Family Coach’s Award, presented to the player that exemplifies commitment and strong values, while Plumlee was awarded the Glenn E. “Ted” Mann Award, which is presented to the player that contributes most to the team’s morale.
Freshman Grayson Allen was tabbed with the newly created One Shining Moment Award for a hustle play in the title game that resulted in a steal and ignited the Blue Devils in the second half of play.
Receiving the Gopal Varadhan Senior Manager Award were Ian McKiernan, Derek Rhodes, Mike Stosky and Graham Vehovec. Cheerleader Kaitlyn O’Connor was named recipient of the Harry Rainey Spirit Award for most outstanding cheerleader, while Drew Cutshaw and Stephanie Egeler were named recipients of the Charles Hogan Memorial Band Award.
Following the banquet Krzyzewski also announced his tri-captains – Amile Jefferson, Matt Jones and Marshall Plumlee – for the 2015-16 season.
2014-15 Duke Men’s Basketball Award Winners Swett-Baylin (Most Valuable Player) — Jahlil Okafor, Quinn Cook Dr. Deryl Hart (Top Scholar Athlete) — Amile Jefferson Glenn E. “Ted” Mann Award (Player Contributing Most to Team Morale) — Marshall Plumlee Pagliuca Family Coach’s Award (Player Exemplifying Commitment and Values) — Matt Jones Iron Dukes Award (Most Minutes Played) — Quinn Cook Bill Krzyzewski Captains’ Awards — Quinn Cook, Amile Jefferson Best Field Goal Percentage Award — Jahlil Okafor Best Free Throw Percentage Award — Quinn Cook, Tyus Jones Best Rebounding Average Award — Jahlil Okafor Most Assists Award — Tyus Jones Best Defensive Player Award — Justise Winslow Gopal Varadhan Senior Manager Award — Ian McKiernan, Derek Rhodes, Mike Stosky, Graham Vehovec Harry Rainey Spirit Award (Outstanding Cheerleader) — Katilyn O’Connor Charles Hogan Memorial Band Award — Drew Cutshaw and Stephanie Egeler
#GoDuke
