FOY and NOY nominees

[Rollbird5]

NOY- Devaughn Akoon-Purcell
NOY/FOY- Teddy Hawkins, Mikyle McIntosh
I'd be surprised if one of these 3 guys didn't win one of these two awards with the impact that most believe they will make.

[Cdizzle]

Chris Kendrix-MSU

There isn't much Chris Kendrix can't do on a basketball court.

He's secured his legacy as one of the most talented high school players to come out of southwest Missouri in many years. One-on-one, there aren't many in the state who can stay with the man who carried Willard within a breath of this year's Class 5 Final Four.

Kendrix was the only player, male or female, to be nominated on every ballot returned by the area's coaches for a spot on this year's All-Ozarks team.

The 6-foot-4 wing has a ferocious dunking ability that became almost legendary, and he developed an all-around game that turned heads around the country.

Kendrix averaged 23.9 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.6 steals, 1.8 blocked shots and 1.3 assists per game while leading Willard to a 21-7 record.

He scored 40 points in his final high school game, a 57-54 loss to eventual state runner-up Columbia Hickman.

godKendrixgod

[Mikovio]

Given the roster turnover, Bradley should have a few candidates for these awards.

Bradley FOY candidate:

Josh Cunningham, SF/PF, 6'7 205 Fr
2014 Rivals #88/ESPN #98
Offers: Indiana, Iowa, Iowa State, Minnesota, Northwestern, Missouri, Nebraska, Creighton, St. John's, DePaul, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Virginia Tech

Led Chicago Morgan Park to back to back state titles, averaging 22 points and 15 rebounds his senior season.

NOY candidates:

Mike Shaw, PF, 6'8 230 Jr
2011 Rivals #59/ESPN #91/Scout #75
Offers out of high school: Marquette, Illinois, Notre Dame, West Virginia, DePaul
Offers upon announcing transfer: Tennessee, DePaul

Transfer from Illinois, where he played sparingly. In high school, finished as Chicago De La Salle's all-time leading scorer, averaging 13 points and 7.5 rebounds as a senior and named First-team All-State by the Associated Press and Illinois Basketball Coaches Association.

Jermaine Morgan, PF/C, 6'8 210 Jr
Offers out of high school: Iowa, Minnesota, Colorado State, LaSalle
Offers out of JUCO: Washington State, New Mexico initially; Florida State, Florida Gulf Coast after decommitting from Wazzu

Committed to Washington State, but was released from LOI once Ken Bone was fired. Averaged 9 points and 8 rebounds at Moberly JUCO while shooting 58% from the field and 74% on FT. Helped Whitney Young to the 2009 IHSA Class 4 state championship, as well as a runner-up finish in the 2010 state tournament, averaging 15 points and 11 rebounds as a senior in 2011-12.

Tramique Sutherland, PG, 5'11 175 Jr
Honorable Mention JUCO All American

Finished the season 2nd nationally in JUCO in assists and steals. Averaged 19 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists and 3 steals playing for Hill College, with 4 triple doubles. Shot 44% from 3 and 75% on FT.

[glm38]

Chris Kendrix-MSU

There isn't much Chris Kendrix can't do on a basketball court.

He's secured his legacy as one of the most talented high school players to come out of southwest Missouri in many years. One-on-one, there aren't many in the state who can stay with the man who carried Willard within a breath of this year's Class 5 Final Four.

Kendrix was the only player, male or female, to be nominated on every ballot returned by the area's coaches for a spot on this year's All-Ozarks team.

The 6-foot-4 wing has a ferocious dunking ability that became almost legendary, and he developed an all-around game that turned heads around the country.

Kendrix averaged 23.9 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.6 steals, 1.8 blocked shots and 1.3 assists per game while leading Willard to a 21-7 record.

He scored 40 points in his final high school game, a 57-54 loss to eventual state runner-up Columbia Hickman.

godKendrixgod

I can understand the skepticism but if you had seen this kid in person you would be a believer. I watched every game of the tournament of champions last year. Against some of the best HS teams and HS players in the country he truly excelled. He may need an adjustment period but he's going to be a very very good player.

Interestingly for MSU our top candidate for NOY is Loomis Gerring who is roughly the same size and looks to have similar skills as Kendrix. If he's as good as advertised Kendrix may be brought on at a slower pace. Should be an interesting battle for PT at this and several other positions for the Bears this year.

[Wufan]

After reading about Kendrix, I feel the need for a friendly d*** measuring contest over three players that have not played 1 minute of basketball.

Rashard Kelly: 6-7, 235 lb Forward

22 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals as a post grad for Hargrave Millitary Academy, the #1 post grad basketball program in the country, ranked #2 nationally last year.

Josh Cunningham: 6-7, 216 lb SF

22 points, 15 rebounds, 3 assists as a senior for Morgan Park, IL, consecutive 3A state titles.

Chris Kendrix: 6-4, 183 lb SF

24 points, 8 rebounds, 4 steals as a senior for Willard, MO, nearly missed the state final 4.

I have no idea how good any of these guys will be and wish them all success!

[Redbird23]

FOY: Deontae Hawkins (ISU) or Josh Cunningham (BU)

NOY: Hawkins (ISU) or Akoon-Purcell (ISU)

[Moose39]

I'd be incredibly surprised if Wyatt Lohaus or any of our redshirts put up the numbers necessary to contend for the FOY.

However Paul Jesperson could certainly find himself in position for NOY. Especially if he finds himself in the starting lineup. Lanky white Iowa kid who excels in defense and perimeter presence. That's about as prototypical-UNI as you can get and we're hoping it's the piece that closes the gap from those close losses last year and pushes this team back to the top of this league and into the Tourney.

Jesperson is from Wisconsin.

[shockem]

WSU has a lot of freshmen and newcomers on this squad. The problem is we only have 1 position for someone to make an impact - the center. Rashard Kelly seems to be the most gifted, but he's playing behind Darius Carter at the 4. We could play Carter at the 5 to open up minutes for Kelly, but that may be playing a l ttle too small. That leaves either Nurger, Wamukota or Morris to take over at the 5. It could be another year of center by committee, which worked out pretty well last year. They all have talent but we have no idea who's going to step up and Marshall has been keeping the lid on practices this year.

[siudawgs]

SIU has a large pool of newcomers that will see time but I don't anticipate any of them pushing for NOY and probably not FOY either, though Jordan Caroline is a strong candidate to start at the 4 as a freshman. Ibby Djimde, a burly, defense-oriented Illinois transfer, likely will rotate with a couple others at the 5. Still questions about which of SIU's freshmen will end up redshirting so we'll know more in a few weeks.

[tribecalledquest]

My vote for NOY is Paul Jesperson. I think he is the best player entering the MVC.

FOY--I have no clue. No one does.

After one week of practice I do know that JUCO combo guard Warren Jones has been Bradley's best player. Take that FWIW.