The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Andrew Jones named co-winner of USBWA Perry Wallace Most Courageous Award
03.11.2022 | Men's Basketball
Senior guard will be honored during Final Four on Monday, April 4 at USBWA awards luncheon..
AUSTIN, Texas — University of Texas senior guard Andrew Jones has been selected as this year's co-winner of the United States Basketball Writers Association's Perry Wallace Most Courageous Award, the USBWA announced Friday morning. Jones and co-winner Justin Hardy of Washington University in St. Louis, will be honored at the Final Four during an awards luncheon on Monday, April 4 from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Central in New Orleans.
Dating back to 1978, the USBWA annually recognizes a player, coach, official or administrator who has demonstrated extraordinary courage reflecting honor on the sport of amateur basketball. Along with the award, the USBWA presents a $1,000 check to the charity or scholarship fund as selected by the recipient.
Jones was diagnosed with leukemia in January 2018 but underwent successful treatment at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. He completed his final treatment in September 2019. Jones recently earned a spot on the Phillips 66 All-Big 12 Awards team for the third consecutive season.
Jones' impact has stretched beyond the court. He has inspired many through sharing his journey and has shown additional courage through his leadership. Jones recently announced he is donating a portion of the money received through his name, image and likeness deals to the V Foundation for cancer research.
Co-winner Justin Hardy is a Division III player at Washington University in St. Louis. Hardy is battling Stage 4 stomach cancer while still competing with his team.
Last year, the men's award was named in honor of Perry Wallace. Wallace was the first African-American basketball player in the Southeastern Conference and the first Black athlete to play a full four-year career in the SEC in any sport. During Wallace's time at Vanderbilt at the height of the Civil Rights movement, Wallace displayed tremendous courage in the face of vicious threats around the South and social isolation on campus, and equal courage in speaking up against racism and injustice throughout his life before his passing in 2017.
