March 12, 2003

Wake Forest senior Josh Howard was named National Player of the Year by Fox Sports today.

Howard edged out former prep school teammate David West of Xavier for the honor as college basketball's top player.

The awards are rolling in for the 6-6 Winston-Salem native. Earler this week, Howard was named first team All-America by the National Association of Basketball Coaches. He was also a unanimous selection for first team All-ACC honors. Howard has been named National Player of the Year by two sources: Fox Sports and Basketball Digest. He remains a candidate for the Wooden, Naismith and Robertson Awards, all of which go to the nation's top player. Howard is expected to be named the ACC Player of the Year early next week.

Howard leads the ACC in scoring (20.1 points per game), he ranks third in the ACC in rebounding (8.0) and steals, fourth in blocked shots and field goal percentage. He is the only player in the nation averaging at least 15 points, seven rebounds, two assists, two steals and 1 block per game.