AFFLALO LEADER OF THE PAC-10 UCLA JUNIOR GUARD IS CONFERENCE'S PLAYER OF THE YEAR.Byline: BRIAN DOHN Staff Writer Arron Afflalo Arron Agustin Afflalo (born October 15, 1985) is an American professional basketball player, currently with the Detroit Pistons. He recently completed a three-year career at University of California, Los Angeles in the Pacific Ten Conference of the NCAA as the starting shooting joined elite UCLA UCLA University of California at Los Angeles UCLA University Center for Learning Assistance (Illinois State University) UCLA University of Carrollton, TX and Lower Addison, TX company Monday when he became the fifth Bruin to be named the Pacific-10 Conference's Player of the Year, which is voted upon by the league's coaches. Not only does Afflalo lead UCLA in scoring at 17.2 points per game, including 17.3 per game in Pac-10 play, but he is widely considered the best perimeter defender in the conference. He led the fourth-ranked Bruins (26-4, 15-3 Pac-10) to a second straight conference title. "Deep down inside, I'm excited. I put in a lot of work, and it's great recognition," Afflalo said during a conference call. " On the flip side Flip side In the context of general equities, opposite side to a proposition or position (buy, if sell is the proposition and vice versa). , I'm still very concerned about our team's state right now, and where we're going as a team. All the individual awards are great, but if it doesn't translate into team success, it really doesn't mean anything. With that said, it could mean so much more if we continue to win." Afflalo, a 6-foot-5 junior guard, was an all Pac-10 selection last season. "I'm just really happy for and proud of Arron," UCLA coach Ben Howland Ben Howland (born May 28, 1957 in Lebanon, Oregon) is an American college head coach of men's basketball. He has been the head coach of the University of California, Los Angeles since 2003, and recently signed a contract extension through 2013. said. "He's had an unbelievable year, and to me, the No. 1 thing that the player of the year does is make his team win. The thing that makes Arron special is he plays both ends of the floor with equal commitment, and he's a great, great competitor. And winning comes first." Afflalo scored in double figures the past 29 games, led UCLA in scoring 17 times this season and is the Pac-10's active leading scorer with 1,447 points. Four times Afflalo scored more than 25 points, and arguably his most impressive performance came in a 62-46 win at California on Jan. 26. Afflalo scored 25 points, and also held Bears guard Ayinde Ubaka scoreless. "I like to be defined as a player who, when put in any situation, I can flourish," Afflalo said. "I liked to be called upon for any of my abilities, whether it's scoring or passing, and even though my rebound numbers are down, for them to know I can rebound. I guess that's what this award shows appreciation for." Afflalo joins Marques Johnson Marques Kevin Johnson (born February 6 1956 in Nachitoches, Louisiana, U.S.) is a retired American professional basketball player in the NBA, playing for the Milwaukee Bucks (1977-84), Los Angeles Clippers (1984-87), and Golden State Warriors (1989-90). (1977), David Greenwood For the football player of the same name see David Greenwood (football player). Dave Kasim Greenwood (born May 27 1957 in Lynwood, California) is a retired American professional basketball player whose NBA career spanned 12 years from 1979 to 1991. (1978, '79), Kenny Fields Kenny Fields (born February 9, 1962 in Iowa City, Iowa) is an American former professional basketball player who was selected by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 1st round (21st overall) of the 1984 NBA Draft. (1983) and Ed O'Bannon Edward Charles O'Bannon, Jr. (born August 14, 1972 in Los Angeles, California) is a former basketball player, who was a star small forward for the UCLA Bruins, where he was known as "Ed-O," but had a less-than-illustrious career as a professional basketball player. (1995) as Bruins to be named Pac-10 Player of the Year. "It means a lot to me to be one of the select few in UCLA history to be honored with this award," Afflalo said during a conference call. "I respect all the other players. There are many other who are well deserving, including (Oregon's) Aaron Brooks Aaron Brooks can refer to:
Also, Bruins point guard Darren Collison and the Trojans' Young were named to the first team. Collison averaged 12.4 points and six assists per game. Young shot 53.5 percent from the field and led USC An abbreviation for U.S. Code. (21-10, 11-7) in scoring at 17.5 points per game. UCLA forwards Josh Shipp and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (born 9 September 1986 in Yaounde, Cameroon) is a 6' 8" Cameroonian basketball player who plays for the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Bruins in the Pacific Ten Conference of the NCAA. , and USC guards Gabe Pruitt and Lodrick Stewart were honorable mention selections. Trojans center Taj Gibson was named to the all-freshman team. Washington State's Tony Bennett was named Coach of the Year and Arizona's Chase Budinger was named the Freshman of the Year. Aboya update: Howland said reserve center/power forward Alfred Aboya, who missed Saturday's loss at Washington, had his left knee examined and is expected to play Thursday in the opening round of the Pac-10 Tournament. brian.dohn@dailynews.com (818) 713-3607 CAPTION(S): 2 photos, 2 boxes Photo: (1 -- color) UCLA junior guard Arron Afflalo is the first Bruin to win Pac-10 Player of the Year honors since Ed O'Bannon in 1995. (2) UCLA guard Arron Afflalo, right, leads the Bruins in scoring this season, averaging 17.3 points per game. Tom Mendoza/Staff Photographer Box: (1) BRUINS' GOLD (2) COLLEGE BASKETBALL top 25: DOHN'S PICKS, AP POLL |
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