Kansas' Thomas Robinson Named to Naismith Men's College Player of the Year Midseason 30 Watch List
Feb. 29, 2012
LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas junior forward Thomas Robinson has been named to the Naismith Men’s College Player of the Year Midseason Watch List it was announced Wednesday by the Atlanta Tipoff Club. Robinson is one of 30 players from around the country named to the prestigious watch list.
The Naismith Men’s Basketball Player of the Year Award presented by AT&T Midseason 30 Watch List was compiled by the Atlanta Tipoff Club’s Board of Selectors, which based its criteria on player performances from the 2011-12 college basketball season. The Naismith Trophy, presented by AT&T, will be awarded at the 2012 NCAA Men’s Final Four in New Orleans.
Robinson adds to his already impressive list of accolades for the season. Earlier this week he was named the Phillips 66 Big 12 Player of the Week for the fourth time this season. The four Big 12 Player of the Week honors for Robinson in 2011-12 are tied for the third-most in a season in conference history. The list of four-time honorees includes former KU great Drew Gooden in 2001-02, Texas’ Kevin Durant (2006-07) and P.J. Tucker (2005-06) and Iowa State’s Marcus Fizer (1999-00). All of the previous four-time honorees were later named the Big 12 Player of the Year. Robinson was also named the Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week on Dec. 11.
For the season, Robinson’s 17.8 points lead the Jayhawks and rank third in the Big 12, while his 21 double-doubles and 11.8 rebounds per game rank first in the conference and second nationally. The 6-10 power forward is tied for third with former KU great Raef LaFrentz, with 21 double-doubles in a single season. He needs only five more to pass Drew Gooden for first all-time. Robinson had career highs with 30 points and 21 rebounds against North Dakota (12/31).
Against eight ranked opponents this season, Robinson is averaging 19.8 points, 12.3 rebounds, 55.6 FG percentage and a 76.2 FT percentage. He has recorded seven double-doubles and four 20-point games.
The Washington, D.C. native, helped Kansas record its eighth-straight Big 12 Championship on Monday at Oklahoma State. Kansas wraps up the regular season on Saturday, March 3, when the Jayhawks host the Texas Longhorns on Senior Night.
