Temple University Athletics
Dionte Christmas Named Finalist For Naismith Trophy
2.24.09 | Men's Basketball
Feb. 24, 2009
PHILADELPHIA - Temple University All-America candidate Dionte Christmas has been named as one of 30 finalists for the 2009 Naismith Trophy, presented by the Atlanta Tip-Off Club to the nation's top men's basketball player. Christmas is the lone representative from the Atlantic 10 Conference and the Philadelphia Big 5 among the 30 finalists.
Christmas, also one of 10 finalists for the Lowe's Senior Class Award, is looking to become the only player in Atlantic 10 Conference history to lead the league in scoring three times. The two-time defending champion ranks second in the conference with a 19.5 scoring average. Having arguably his best season, the 6-5 All-America candidate also is second in the league in three-pointers made (3.00 mpg.) and ranks second on the Owls in rebounding (6.3 rpg.) and assists (76) while topping the squad in steals (37).
He has won three A-10 Player of the Week awards this season to push his career total to 10, third most in league history. Only Xavier's David West (14.'00-03) and Saint Joseph's Jameer Nelson (13, '01-04), both National Players of the Year as seniors, have earned more A-10 Player of the Week honors. He has earned four Big 5 Player of the Week honors this season with his career total standing at 10, and two ESPN.com National Player of the Week citations, the last coming following his 35-point outburst in the Owls' 88-72 upset of then #8 Tennessee (12/13).
The Philadelphia native (Philadelphia Lutheran Christian Academy) is on track to become just the fourth Temple player to score 2,000 career points. He currently ranks fifth on the all-time scoring list with 1,887 points. He also is on pace to break Lynn Greer's record of 305 career three-pointers made (1997-02). Christmas has made 290 treys, second on the TU list.
Christmas and the Owls next host La Salle in an Atlantic 10/Big 5 game Thursday night (7:00 p.m/OwlAccess/1210 AM WPHT) at the Liacouras Center.
