Long Beach State senior point guard Casper Ware has been named to the list of 11 finalists for the 2012 Bob Cousy Award by the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
The award recognizes college basketball’s top point guard. The list, which started at 60-plus nominees, was cut to 11 players on Thursday — with Ware making the cut. The list will be narrowed to five players on March 8.
Ware has led the 49ers to a 16-6 overall record this season, including a perfect 9-0 in Big West Conference play. LBSU has played one of the most difficult schedules in all of college basketball this season, with some of Ware’s best performances coming against top competition.
Ware scored 28 points and dished out six assists in an upset over then No. 9-ranked Pittsburgh. He dropped 26 points and six assists in an overtime loss to No. 17 San Diego State.
The senior scored 16 points in a loss to No. 8 Kansas, and he had 13 points and eight assists against then No. 6 Louisville.
Arguably Ware’s best performance of the year came in a six-point road loss to No. 6 North Carolina. Ware scored 29 points, grabbed four rebounds and dished out five assists in the near-upset.
The 5-foot-10 guard is averaging 16.8 points per game this season on 39.8 percent shooting. Ware also leads the ‘Niners in assists with 3.3 per contest.
The reigning Big West Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year is shooting 81.1 percent from the free throw line and 34.4 percent from 3-point range.
The winner of the 2012 Cousy Award will be named on April 2 in New Orleans, Louisiana as apart of the NCAA Final Four weekend.
2012 Cousy Award Top-11
Isaiah Canaan, Murray State
Casper Ware, Long Beach State
Scott Machado, Iona
Kendall Marshall, North Carolina
Jordan Taylor, Wisconsin
Scoop Jardine, Syracuse
Damian Lillard, Weber State
Phil Pressey, Missouri
Aaron Craft, Ohio State
Matthew Dellavedova, Saint Mary’s
Pierre Jackson, Baylor