The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
James claims MVP honors at annual team banquet
04.12.2010 | Men's Basketball
April 12, 2010
AUSTIN, Texas -- University of Texas senior Damion James claimed the team's Most Valuable Player honor in a vote of his peers, highlighting the 2009-10 men's basketball team banquet held Monday evening at the Frank Erwin Center. Junior forward Gary Johnson and freshman swingman Jordan Hamilton shared the Most Improved Player Award.
James earned second-team All-America honors by The Sporting News and third-team All-America accolades by The Associated Press. He was one of 10 male finalists for the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award and one of 16 finalists for the Oscar Robertson Trophy, given to the USBWA's National Player of the Year. James led the team in scoring (18.0 ppg), rebounding (10.3 rpg), double-doubles (17), steals (57) and minutes played (30.3 mpg) and ranked second on the squad in blocked shots (40).
Johnson emerged as one of the top sixth men in the Big 12 Conference, earning a spot on the Big 12 All-Reserve Team for the second straight year. In Big 12 play, he ranked third on the team in scoring (11.1 ppg) and second in rebounding (6.6 rpg). Johnson averaged nearly eight rebounds per game over the final 13 contests of the season.
Hamilton ranked fourth on the team in scoring (10.0 ppg) and rebounding (3.7 rpg) while playing in all 34 games. During the final 10 contests of the season, he averaged 13 points and five rebounds per game. Hamilton recorded 19 points and six rebounds while hitting 5-of-10 three-pointers during the NCAA Tournament loss to Wake Forest.
Craig Way, "Voice of the Longhorns," played host to the event. Texas concluded the 2009-10 season with a 24-10 record and advanced to the First Round of the NCAA Tournament.
| Award | Recipient(s) |
| Mike Wacker Comeback Award sponsored by United Healthcare | Alexis Wangmene |
| Coca-Cola Solid Citizen Award | Damion James |
| Jack Gray Award sponsored by the Texas Exes | Jai Lucas |
| Athletic Director's Scholar-Athlete Award | Dogus Balbay |
| Jay Arnette Award | Dean Melchionni and Andrew Dick |
| Earlene Fulmer 3-Point Attack Award | Avery Bradley |
| Assists Award | Dogus Balbay |
| Blocked Shots Award | Dexter Pittman |
| Field Goal Percentage Award | Dexter Pittman |
| Free Throw Percentage Award | J'Covan Brown |
| Rebounding Award | Damion James |
| Hustlin' Horns Award | Matt Hill |
| Spirit Award | Clint Chapman |
| Outstanding Defensive Player | Dogus Balbay |
| Most Improved Player | Jordan Hamilton and Gary Johnson |
| Team Captain | Justin Mason |
| Most Valuable Player sponsored by the Texas Exes | Damion James |
| Senior Awards | Damion James, Justin Mason, Dexter Pittman |
