THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, April 1, 1995 TAG: 9504010403
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: FROM WIRE REPORTS
DATELINE: SEATTLE LENGTH: Short : 36 lines
Maryland sophomore Joe Smith and Oklahoma's Kelvin Sampson were honored today by The Associated Press as the national college basketball player and coach of the year.
Smith, who will receive the Adolph Rupp Trophy, is the sixth sophomore to be so honored in the 35 years of the award and the first since Shaquille O'Neal of Louisiana State in 1991.
The 6-foot-10 center from Norfolk's Maury High was ACC player of the year after averaging 20.8 points and 10.4 rebounds while shooting 58 percent from the field as the Terrapins tied for first.
In the NCAA tournament, he helped the Terrapins advance to the West Regional semifinals before they lost to Connecticut. He averaged 20.7 points and 13 rebounds in the tournament, including 31 points, 21 rebounds and seven blocks against Texas.
Smith, the leading vote-getter on the All-America team, was followed in the player of the year voting by Ed O'Bannon of UCLA, Shawn Respert of Michigan State, Jerry Stackhouse of North Carolina and Damon Stoudamire of Arizona.
Sampson, 39, led the Sooners to a 23-9 record and into the NCAA tournament, where they were upset by Manhattan in the first round. Following Sampson in the voting were Jim Harrick of UCLA. Richard Williams of Mississippi State, Jim Calhoun of Connecticut, Gary Williams of Maryland and Steve Lappas of Villanova. by CNB