Durant Claims 2007 Wooden Award – Ohio State Buckeyes
4/8/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
April 8, 2007
LOS ANGELES – The Big Ten Conference was well represented Saturday at the Wooden Awards Show at the Los Angeles Athletic Club in downtown LA.
Ohio State freshman Greg Oden, a member of the 2007 Wooden All-America team, along with head coach Thad Matta were on hand as the 2007 Wooden Award was presented to Texas freshman Kevin Durant, the first freshman to earn the honor in the award’s 31-years in existence.
Oden, one of five finalists for the Wooden Award this year, joined Matta, Alando Tucker, a senior from Wisconsin, Bo Ryan, head coach of the Badgers, and Gene Keady, former Purdue head coach, in representing the Big Ten at the annual event. Keady was given the John R. Wooden Legends of Coaching Award during the live broadcast (CBS).
The four finalists on hand for the men’s award along with Tennessee’s Candace Parker, the recipient of the women’s Wooden Award this year, took part in the CBS production Saturday morning before a photo session and press conference. The group and their coaches attended a reception in their honor following the show before an evening banquet.
Matta and Oden are scheduled to return to Columbus Sunday.
A public ceremony recognizing the 2007 Ohio State men’s basketball team is scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday at Value City Arena. Admission and parking are free. No ticket is needed to attend. An autographed posted will be handed out to the first 5,000 fans in attendance.
