DUKE'S WILLIAMS HEAD OF CLASS POINT GUARD WINS 26TH WOODEN AWARD.

Byline: Matthew Kredell Staff Writer

Jason Williams' college basketball career didn't end with a championship, but he already has one of those. Sunday he received an honor he hadn't previously achieved, winning the 26th John R. Wooden Award as the nation's top male player.

Williams, who finished second in the voting last year, accepted the trophy in a presentation at the Los Angeles Athletic Club. The 6-foot-2 guard beat out Drew Gooden of Kansas by 900 points to become the third Duke player in four years to take home the trophy.

The two-time All-America selection has dominated postseason awards much as he did competition on the court. But Williams indicated this award holds a special place in his heart.

``This one just tops them all,'' Williams said. ``Coach Wooden represents everything I've always stood for - pride, integrity and trust.''

Williams is leaving early for the NBA but not without graduating. He completed a degree in sociology in three years and will walk during commencement at Duke in May. Then he will finish his needed units over the summer.

John Wooden, who presented Williams with the trophy, said he was glad that Williams is getting his degree. The Wooden Award is one of the few honors that has academic requirements.

``I've always wanted another picture in the center of the trophy,'' Wooden said. ``I wanted someone with a cap and gown. When anyone who wins the award is graduating, that pleases me very much. (Williams) is more than just a point guard. He's an all-around player. He does many things well. But I particularly like his demeanor off the court.''

Williams, who returned to school despite the likelihood of being the top pick in the NBA draft last year, led the Atlantic Coast Conference with 21.3 points a game. Duke lost to Indiana 74-73 in the NCAA Tournament regional semifinals when Williams missed a free throw that would have tied the game after being fouled while making a 3-pointer in the final seconds.

Another ACC team, Maryland, went on to beat Indiana to win the championship. Williams singled out Maryland guard Juan Dixon in his thank yous.

``I just wanted to thank him because 20 years down the road, we are going to look at the games we played and say, `Wow, we played some of the greatest games in college basketball,' '' Williams said. ``He's one of the best players I've ever played against and I wish him all the success in the future.''

Williams received 5,223 points in voting by a national panel of sportswriters and sportscasters. Gooden was second with 4,323. They were followed by Dixon (3,845), Cincinnati's Steve Logan (2,887) and Gonzaga's Dan Dickau (2,886).

Had the voting taken place after the NCAA title game, the award might have gone to Dixon. He averaged 25.8 points over six games during the championship run.

``I got the big trophy and all these guys wish they had the big trophy,'' Dixon said. ``That's what it's all about.''

Williams already has one of those from last year, when Duke beat Arizona for the national title. He joined Christian Laettner (1992), Shane Battier (2001) and Elton Brand (1999), now with the Clippers, as Duke recipients of the Wooden Award.

Former Louisville coach Denny Crum received the fourth Legends of Coaching Award. Crum played and coached under Wooden at UCLA. He also played and coached at Pierce College.

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Jason Williams became the third Duke player in the past four years to win the Wooden Award as the nation's top college player.

Ric Francis/Associated Press