Murray State University Athletics
Photo by: Lance Allison
Isaiah Canaan Named First Team All-America By Sporting News
3/6/2012 11:10:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Sporting News All-America List
Murray State junior guard Isaiah Canaan has been named to the Sporting News 2012 First Team All-America Team.
The native of Biloxi, Miss., who was earlier named to SN's Mid-Season All-America List, has led Murray State to an amazing season of 30-1 and to their 15th trip to the NCAA Tournament.
Canaan is included on The Sporting News First Team with: Anthony Davis of Kentucky, who is also the SN Player of the Year, and Ohio State's Jared Sullinger, Thomas Robinson of Kansas and Draymond Green of Michigan State.
“It's a great honor for Isaiah to be recognized as an All-American by the Sporting News,” Murray State Head Coach Steve Prohm said. “As good of a scorer as Isaiah is, his best attribute is his unselfish play. I am really proud of Isaiah and how he has handled all his success with great humility.”
Known as one of the best in the nation in 3-point shooting, Canaan is fourth in the nation in making 47.3 percent of his attempts and 11th in 3-pointers per game at 3.1. Canaan also leads the team in scoring and ranks 23rd in the nation at 19.2 points per game. He is a three-time All-OVC selection for the Racers and this season's OVC Player of the Year.
Canaan is also a finalist for Bob Cousy, Oscar Robertson, and Lou Henson awards and has been named a finalist for the CBSSports.com Player of the Year award. This week, Canaan was named to the Sporting News All-America First Team.
He is also the first to lead Murray State in scoring and assists since Isaac Spencer did it in the 2000-01 season.
The Racers won the OVC Tournament last weekend with a victory over Tennessee State in the championship game after taking their 23rd OVC regular-season title going 15-1. MSU also had the distinction of being the last undefeated team in NCAA D-I this season and had an OVC record 23-0 start. MSU never lost a road game this season.
“People talk about his scoring,” Prohm added about Canaan. “But if you look at the OVC Championship game, Isaiah made the assists for the baskets that tied the game and then the one that gave us the lead. I'll remember that about him when I think about that championship game.”
“To be on the list of All-Americans with the likes of Anthony Davis, Thomas Robinson, Draymond Green and Jared Sullinger…that's Kentucky, Kansas, Michigan State and Ohio State,” Prohm added. “They're truly the best-of-the-best basketball programs. To have Isaiah Canaan from Murray State in the same breath, speaks volumes on where our program is at and wants to go.”
Sporting News' College Basketball awards are decided on by the Sporting News editorial staff in consultation with coaches and scouts around the country.
2012 SN All-American Teams
First team All-Americans
Bill Self, Kansas University- Coach of the Year
F Anthony Davis, 6-10, Fr., Kentucky- Player of the Year
G Isaiah Canaan, 6-0, Jr., Murray State
C Jared Sullinger, 6-9, So., Ohio State
F Thomas Robinson, 6-10, Jr., Kansas
F Draymond Green, 6-7, Sr., Michigan State
Second team All-Americans
G Marcus Denmon, 6-3, Sr., Missouri
F Jae Crowder, 6-6, Sr., Marquette
F Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, 6-7, Fr., Kentucky
F Doug McDermott, 6-7, So., Creighton
C Tyler Zeller, 7-0, Sr., North Carolina
Third team All-Americans
G John Jenkins, 6-4, Jr., Vanderbilt
G Tyshawn Taylor, 6-3, Sr., Kansas
F Harrison Barnes, 6-8, So., North Carolina
F Kevin Jones, 6-8, Sr., West Virginia
F Mike Scott, 6-8, Sr., Virginia
Murray State junior guard Isaiah Canaan has been named to the Sporting News 2012 First Team All-America Team.
The native of Biloxi, Miss., who was earlier named to SN's Mid-Season All-America List, has led Murray State to an amazing season of 30-1 and to their 15th trip to the NCAA Tournament.
Canaan is included on The Sporting News First Team with: Anthony Davis of Kentucky, who is also the SN Player of the Year, and Ohio State's Jared Sullinger, Thomas Robinson of Kansas and Draymond Green of Michigan State.
“It's a great honor for Isaiah to be recognized as an All-American by the Sporting News,” Murray State Head Coach Steve Prohm said. “As good of a scorer as Isaiah is, his best attribute is his unselfish play. I am really proud of Isaiah and how he has handled all his success with great humility.”
Known as one of the best in the nation in 3-point shooting, Canaan is fourth in the nation in making 47.3 percent of his attempts and 11th in 3-pointers per game at 3.1. Canaan also leads the team in scoring and ranks 23rd in the nation at 19.2 points per game. He is a three-time All-OVC selection for the Racers and this season's OVC Player of the Year.
Canaan is also a finalist for Bob Cousy, Oscar Robertson, and Lou Henson awards and has been named a finalist for the CBSSports.com Player of the Year award. This week, Canaan was named to the Sporting News All-America First Team.
He is also the first to lead Murray State in scoring and assists since Isaac Spencer did it in the 2000-01 season.
The Racers won the OVC Tournament last weekend with a victory over Tennessee State in the championship game after taking their 23rd OVC regular-season title going 15-1. MSU also had the distinction of being the last undefeated team in NCAA D-I this season and had an OVC record 23-0 start. MSU never lost a road game this season.
“People talk about his scoring,” Prohm added about Canaan. “But if you look at the OVC Championship game, Isaiah made the assists for the baskets that tied the game and then the one that gave us the lead. I'll remember that about him when I think about that championship game.”
“To be on the list of All-Americans with the likes of Anthony Davis, Thomas Robinson, Draymond Green and Jared Sullinger…that's Kentucky, Kansas, Michigan State and Ohio State,” Prohm added. “They're truly the best-of-the-best basketball programs. To have Isaiah Canaan from Murray State in the same breath, speaks volumes on where our program is at and wants to go.”
Sporting News' College Basketball awards are decided on by the Sporting News editorial staff in consultation with coaches and scouts around the country.
2012 SN All-American Teams
First team All-Americans
Bill Self, Kansas University- Coach of the Year
F Anthony Davis, 6-10, Fr., Kentucky- Player of the Year
G Isaiah Canaan, 6-0, Jr., Murray State
C Jared Sullinger, 6-9, So., Ohio State
F Thomas Robinson, 6-10, Jr., Kansas
F Draymond Green, 6-7, Sr., Michigan State
Second team All-Americans
G Marcus Denmon, 6-3, Sr., Missouri
F Jae Crowder, 6-6, Sr., Marquette
F Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, 6-7, Fr., Kentucky
F Doug McDermott, 6-7, So., Creighton
C Tyler Zeller, 7-0, Sr., North Carolina
Third team All-Americans
G John Jenkins, 6-4, Jr., Vanderbilt
G Tyshawn Taylor, 6-3, Sr., Kansas
F Harrison Barnes, 6-8, So., North Carolina
F Kevin Jones, 6-8, Sr., West Virginia
F Mike Scott, 6-8, Sr., Virginia
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