DENVER – University of Denver men's basketball fifth-year guard Tommy Bruner has been named to the 2023-24 Lou Henson Player of the Year Award Mid-Season Watch List, CollegeInsider.com announced on Wednesday.
Bruner leads the country in scoring, averaging 25.4 points per game ahead of the Pioneers return to Summit League play this weekend. The Denver guard has 12 20+ point games this season, including 30+ in five different contests. From beyond the arc, Bruner ranks 45th in three-pointers made and 29th in three-point percentage. In addition to his sharp-shooting from beyond the arc, Bruner ranks first in the country in free-throw makes with 122 and 63rd in the nation in assists with 72.
On the awards front, Bruner has been named the Summit League's Peak Performer of the Week four times and the Summit League's Male Athlete of the Month in each of the first two months of the regular season.
The Lou Henson award honors the former Illinois and New Mexico State head coach who won 775 games in 41 seasons. Coach Henson is the winningest coach in Illinois basketball history with 423 victories. During his 21 seasons (1975-1996), Henson led the Fighting Illini to 16 postseason appearances, including 12 NCAA tournaments and a Final Four appearance in 1989.
Henson, who is also the all-time winningest coach in New Mexico State history with 289 victories, is one of only 11 coaches to take two different schools to the NCAA Final Four. His teams have made 19 NCAA appearances and four NIT appearances.
Coach Henson passed away on July 25, 2020.
The recipient of the annual award is determined by a 10-member voting committee, which consists of current and former head coaches, as well as two senior staff members of collegeinsider.com. The 2024 award will be announced in Phoenix, Ariz., site of the men's Division I Basketball Championship.
UP NEXT:
Denver will have the week off before hosting South Dakota State in Summit League action on January 13 inside Hamilton Gymnasium. Tip is set for 1 p.m. MT, and will be broadcast live on the Summit League Network and 104.3 The Fan HD3.
SUMMIT LEAGUE NETWORK:
New this year, fans can subscribe to the Summit League Network, the exclusive streaming home of all Denver men's and women's basketball home games and conference away games. For more information on the Summit League Network, click here.
Denver Tickets:
Season and single game tickets are on sale now. Secure your seat today by clicking here.
DENVER'S HOME FOR COLLEGE SPORTS
Visit DenverPioneers.com for complete coverage of all 18 of DU's NCAA Division I sports.
Like Denver Men's Basketball and Denver Pioneers on Facebook
Follow @du_menshoops and @DU_Pioneers on Twitter
Follow @du_mhoops and @DenverPioneers on Instagram
