Temple University Athletics
DUPREE NAMED AS FINALIST FOR 2005-06 BAYER ADVANTAGE SENIOR CLASS AWARD
3.2.06 | Women's Basketball
KANSAS CITY, MO- Temple University senior Candice Dupree has been selected as of of the 10 finalists for the 2005-06 Bayer Advantage Senior CLASS Award. The award, now in its fifth year, is presented annually to the nation's senior player-of-the year for NCAA Division I men's and women's basketball.
Nationwide voting begins on Monday, March 6 and concludes two weeks later on March 20. Winners are determined by a balloting system that includes college basketball coaches, media and fans. Over 100 coaches and media will receive private ballots. Fans can vote on-line at www.seniorclassaward.com. The winner will be announced during the CBS telecast of the NCAA Men's Final Four on April 1.
Just recently named the Atlantic 10's Player and Defensive Player of the Year for the second straight season, Dupree ranks second in the Conference in scoring (17.0) and third in rebounding (9.2) while leading her team to a first round bye in the 2006 A-10 Championship. The Tampa, FL, native finished the regular season with nine double-doubles en route to earning four A-10 Player of the Week honors and is shooting an impressive 51% from the floor. She led the 20th-ranked Owls to their third straight 20-win season with a 21-7 mark and helped the Owls to two wins over ranked programs, including a 48-47 victory over then-#9 Rutgers in Temple's first-ever win over a top 10 program on Jan. 19. A Wooden Award and Naismith Award finalist, Dupree also repeated as the Defensive Player of the Year and garnered First-Team All-Conference honors. She leads the league in blocks (2.36) while helping Temple rank second in the Conference in scoring defense, allowing just 54.7 points per game.
In addition to Dupree, female finalists are Seimone Augustus of LSU, Monique Currie of Duke, LaToya Davis of Texas Tech, Megan Duffy of Notre Dame, Cappie Pondexter of Rutgers, Liz Shimek of Michigan State, Ann Strother and Barbara Turner of Connecticut and Sophia Young of Baylor.
An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, the award was launched during the 2001-02 season in response to the trend of college basketball players leaving college early to turn professional.
While performance on the basketball court is the defining attribute, candidates must maintain NCAA student-athlete academic standards and be working towards a degree. The foundation of the award is based on commitment to their university and their education while achieving on the basketball court.
