Chambers Named a Candidate for Bob Cousy Award

By Tim Williamson, Assistant Director of Athletic Communications Harvard University:

"CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Freshman Siyani Chambers of the Harvard men’s basketball team has been selected as a candidate for the 2013 Bob Cousy Award, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass., announced today.

The annual honor, named for Hall of Famer and former Boston Celtic Bob Cousy, recognizes the top point guards in men’s college basketball. Over 80 candidates have been nominated for the 2013 Bob Cousy Award.

This watch list of candidates will be narrowed down to a final 20 around Jan. 1, final 10 near Feb. 1, and final five by approximately March 1. A premier Selection Committee has been appointed by the Hall of Fame to review the final five candidates in contention for the nation’s top collegiate point guard award. 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 2013 Bob Cousy Award will be presented at the Hall of Fame’s Class Announcement on Championship Monday in Atlanta, Ga., as part of NCAA Final Four weekend.

Chambers, a native of Golden Valley, Minn., has been named the Ivy League Rookie of the Week twice this season (Dec. 3 and Dec. 17). He ranks second on the Crimson with 12.6 points per contest and paces the Ivy League with 5.1 assists per game.

Chambers has been impressive from the foul line as a freshman and stands 13th in the nation in free throw shooting (.944) and has connected on 32 straight from the charity stripe since Nov. 13. Chambers is also knocking down 48.4 percent of his 3-point attempts (15-of-31) and is 15th in minutes per game (37.0). He has reached double figures in scoring six times and hit the game-winning shot in the final seconds in a 65-64 victory over Boston University Dec. 11.

“The Hall of Fame is proud to continue its mission with Mr. Cousy to celebrate and honor the top collegiate point guards in the country,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. “This list represents a large range of college basketball’s top student athletes from across the country. We are excited to recognize these players for their continuous hard work and dedication.”

“The Bob Cousy Award promotes the values of leadership, determination, and teamwork, all skills needed on the basketball court and in life,” said Ken Kaufman, Chair of the Bob Cousy Award and former president of the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC). “Mr. Cousy exemplified all of these traits, and inspired so many people on and off the court. We hope that this coveted award continues to honor his legacy.”

Previous winners of the Bob Cousy Award have included Jameer Nelson (St. Joseph’s), Raymond Felton (North Carolina), Dee Brown (Illinois), Acie Law (Texas A & M), DJ Augustin (Texas), Ty Lawson (North Carolina), Greivis Vasquez (Maryland), Kemba Walker (Connecticut) and last year’s recipient, Kendall Marshall (North Carolina). For more information on the 2013 Bob Cousy, log onto www.CousyAward.com.

About the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame:

Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the Birthplace of Basketball, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame promotes and preserves the game of basketball at every level – professional, collegiate, men and women."