Lehigh University Athletics
Sporting News honors McCollum for a second time
3/12/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. – C.J. McCollum was honored by the Sporting News for the second time this week on Friday when the outlet named him its Patriot League Player and Freshman of the Year. McCollum was named to the Sporting News All-Freshman Team earlier this week where he garnered a spot on the Second-Team. McCollum was joined on the teams by some of the biggest names in college basketball, including Kentucky’s John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins, Derrick Favors of Georgia Tech, and No. 1 Kansas’ Xavier Henry.
McCollum made history last week when he became the first player in Patriot League history to be named the league’s Player and Rookie of the Year. McCollum was also named to the All-League First-Team, as well as the All-Rookie Team. That same day the 6-3 guard tied the league mark for the most Rookie of the Week awards with his ninth, tying teammate Marquis Hall (2006-07) and Bucknell’s Kevin Bettencourt (2002-03).
McCollum, who was only the second Lehigh player to be named P.L. Player of the Year (Austen Rowland – 2004) is Lehigh’s third Rookie of the Year in the last four seasons (Hall, Rob Keefer). He currently leads the Mountain Hawks in scoring at 18.9 points per game and his 585 points this season are the most by a freshman in league and school history. McCollum is also averaging 4.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.2 steals, while shooting 43% from three-point range and 81% at the foul line.
McCollum is Lehigh’s sixth First-Team All-League selection in school annals and he was just the third freshman in league history to earn All-League accolades. McCollum has led Lehigh in scoring 17 times this season with 27 games of 10 or more points, 15 games with 20 or more and three games of 30 or more, including a season best 33 versus Army on February 13. He is also the first freshman in school history to post eight games of 25 or more points.
With McCollum’s selection to the Sporting News All-Freshman Team, it marks the second time in the last four years that Lehigh has produced a Freshman All-America. Hall garnered the honor in 2007.
McCollum and his Mountain Hawk teammates are set to host the 2010 Patriot League championship on Friday, March 12 inside of Stabler Arena. Top-seeded Lehigh will play host to the No. 3 seed and archrival Lafayette with tip-off set for 4:45. Tickets can be purchased by calling 610-7LU-GAME, by logging onto Lehighsports.com or at the arena box office prior to tip-off.
Tickets are $16 for adults and $8 for seniors and students with a valid student ID. Lehigh students and faculty/staff must purchase tickets to the game because it is a postseason event. All ID card holders of any kind will be asked to purchase a ticket to the game. Season ticket holders are guaranteed their regular seats and should purchase by phone or by visiting Grace Hall.
