DENVER – Senior forward Chris Udofia (Irving, Texas) and junior guard Brett Olson (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) shared the Floyd M. Theard Jr. Memorial Award as Most Valuable Players at the Annual Denver Men’s Basketball Banquet on Thursday night. Udofia also took the Defensive Player Award and junior guard Cam Griffin (San Antonio, Texas) claimed the Vince Boryla ’49 Pioneer Award.
“Our banquet allows us to thank all the people who help our program throughout the year,” head coach Joe Scott said. “It also allows us to reflect on this past season, as well as the careers of Chris Udofia and Charles Webb, two four-year seniors who through their dedication and commitment have made this program better. They have done it on the court and in the classroom with the utmost character and integrity. We thank them for all they have done, wish them the best as they move into the next chapters in their lives, and know they will always be a part of the Denver Basketball family.”
For the third-straight season, Udofia earned DU MVP honors, sharing with Olson the 2013-14 Floyd M. Theard Jr. Memorial Award, given to the University of Denver men’s basketball player who best displays the qualities of leadership, scholarship and sportsmanship as demonstrated by Coach Theard during the course of his lifetime. Udofia added DU’s Defensive Player Award to complement his 2013-14 Summit League Defensive Player of the Year.
Udofia, who was selected to the All-Summit League First Team, was first in The Summit League in blocked shots (2.3), second in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.2), third in assists (3.9) and minutes played (34.3), fourth in steals (1.5), seventh in offensive rebounding (1.8), 11th in rebounding (5.4) and field goal percentage (.496), and 13th in scoring (12.3). The six-foot-six Udofia ended his career ranked first in DU history in both blocked shots (256) and games played (124); fifth in points (1,501) and field goals made (551); seventh in assists (349), steals (141) and free throws made (334). The senior captain was one of just 12 players in DU history in the 1,000-point, 500-rebound club. Udofia and Nate Rohnert (2006-10) are the only players in Denver history to record 1,000 points, 500 rebounds and 250 assists. Both Udofia and Rohnert have at least 100 steals, as well. Udofia stands alone as the only DU player with 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, 250 assists, 100 steals and 100 blocks. Overall, Udofia ranks among Denver’s top 10 career marks in seven different categories.
Olson earns his first Floyd M. Theard Jr. Memorial Award. The alternate captain ended the season ranked seventh in the nation in free throw percentage at .902, which also ranked sixth in Summit League history. The Summit League Athlete of the Month in December, Olson ranked first in The Summit League in free throw percentage and minutes played (36.8), third in three-pointers per game (2.2), fourth in three-point percentage (.439), sixth in assists (3.5) and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.8), seventh in scoring (14.5) and 12th in steals (1.1).
Griffin won the Vince Boryla ’49 Pioneer Award, which was renamed last year in honor of Vince Boryla, the only consensus All-American in team history. The Pioneer Award is presented annually to the player or players who strive to do their very best each day and who continually sacrifices for the betterment of the program.
In 14 conference games, Griffin had a .563 field goal percentage (40-of-71). At just 6-foot-3, Griffin finished fifth in The Summit League in all games in total rebounds (5.8), sixth in offensive rebounds (1.9), and 10th in defensive rebounds (3.8). Griffin also has 1.4 steals per game and shot .429 from the field, which ranked sixth and 13th in the conference. The San Antonio native recorded his second career double-double at UTEP (Dec. 29), tying his career high with 15 points and pulling down 10 rebounds.
“These three awards represent the values and ideals upon which our program is based,” Scott said. “Chris, Brett and Cam are well deserving.”
The Pioneers also honored the contributions of Denver seniors Chris Udofia (Irving, Texas) and Charles Webb (Erie, Colo.).
Fans who are interested in men's basketball season tickets for the 2014-15 Denver Pioneers season, please call the Pioneer Basketball Ticket Hotline at (303) 871-HOOP.
Individual game tickets will go on sale in October with prices starting at $9 for adults. DU students get into the game free with their Pioneer Card.
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