BATTIER GOOD OFF COURT, TOO WOODEN AWARD WINNER A CLASS ACT.

Byline: Vincent Bonsignore Staff Writer

Rarely does one come to a college basketball awards ceremony expecting the winner to comment on world affairs.

Of course, Duke forward Shane Battier isn't your typical basketball player.

Battier, who was named the winner of the 25th annual John R. Wooden Award as college basketball's 2001 player of the year Friday at the L.A. Athletic Club, looked and sounded more like a candidate pushing policy than a basketball player campaigning for the NBA.

So it wasn't too much of a surprise when someone asked Battier his view on the U.S.-China spy plane standoff. After all, a few minutes before that, Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski grilled Battier on his Social Security stance.

Battier, whose future includes politics as much as professional basketball, was as smooth talking issues as he was in leading the Blue Devils to the NCAA championship Monday against Arizona.

On China, Battier is taking a hopeful stance.

``If the right people get involved I think it can be a great diplomatic policy case to soothe relations,'' Battier said. ``It's an interesting political lesson.''

Battier makes no secret his desire to someday run for public office, although the NBA beckons first. He's expected to be among the top two or three players chosen in next June's player draft, and Krzyzewski endorses his 6-foot-8 forward by calling him the most complete player he's ever coached.

The endorsement might come with a future price. Battier admitted Friday Krzyzewski has requested the ambassadors job to Tahiti when Battier becomes President of the United States.

The way things are going, that may happen sooner rather than later. If so Battier will look back on this week as an example of what to expect when he hits the campaign trail.

``I think I've had 14 hours of sleep the last four days,'' Battier said.

It's been a busy week to say the least.

On Monday Battier, who averaged 19.9 points and 7.3 rebounds, led Duke to the NCAA title with a victory over Arizona. On Tuesday he was home at Duke basking in the championship afterglow, followed by a day of sleep Wednesday, then an awards ceremony and late-night flight to Los Angeles on Thursday for the Wooden Award ceremony.

Battier flies to Atlanta today to pick up another award and Sunday he'll be at the Master's golf tournament.

``This is probably the busiest week of my life,'' Battier said. ``But I guess after all the sacrifices I've made, all those times I've told friends I have to go to bed so I can relax, I think I deserve to deprive myself of some sleep.''

Battier outdistanced Duke teammate Jason Williams in the Wooden Award voting 4,892-3,764. The other finalists were Joesph Forte (North Carolina), Casey Jacobsen (Stanford), Troy Murphy (Notre Dame), Tayshaun Prince (Kentucky), Charlie Bell (Michigan), Frank Williams (Illinois), Casey Calvary (Gonzaga) and Jarron Collins (Stanford).

``It's an honor to win any award, but to have the name John Wooden attached to it makes it even more special,'' Battier said.

Arizona coach Lute Olson received the third Legends of Coaching Award.

--Note: University of Missouri-Kansas City coach Dean Demopoulos took his name out of consideration for the St. Bonaventure opening. Pepperdine coach Jan van Breda Kolff is the leading candidate for the job.

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The spotlight's on Duke's Shane Battier, who Friday accepted the John R. Wooden Award as the nation's top college basketball player.

Kim D. Johnson/Associated Press