Temple University Athletics
Dionte Christmas Named Finalist For Lowe's Senior Class Award
2.4.09 | Men's Basketball
Feb. 4, 2009
PHILADELPHIA - Temple University All-America candidate Dionte Christmas has been named as one of 10 finalists for the Lowe's Senior Class Award given annually to recognize outstanding senior basketball student-athletes. An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages those leaders to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact on their circle of influence.
Joining Christmas among the 10 finalists are A.J. Abrams (Texas), Jimmy Baron (Rhode Island), Tyler Hansbrough (North Carolina), Lester Hudson (Tennessee-Martin), Curtis Jerrells (Baylor), Jerel McNeal (Marquette), Andy Wicke (Belmont), Terrence Williams (Louisville) and Sam Young (Pittsburgh).
"I am honored to be named a finalist for such a prestigious honor," Christmas said. "My senior season means a lot to me personally. One, I felt I owed it to the University and to my teammates to help win another Atlantic 10 Championship and make a run in the NCAA Tournament. More importantly, I wanted to earn my degree in African American Studies. That is extremely important to me because I want to be prepared for my life after basketball. That is the main reason I am here."
Christmas, who is looking to become the only player in Atlantic 10 Conference history to lead the league in scoring three times, tops the A-10 with a 20.5 scoring average. Having arguably his best season, the 6-5 All-America candidate also leads the league in three-pointers made (3.45 mp.) and ranks second on the Owls in rebounding (6.6 rpg.) and assists (49).
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 sixth on the all-time scoring list with 1,790 points. He also is on pace to break Lynn Greer's record of 305 career three-pointers made (1997-02). Christmas has made 281 treys, second on the TU list.
Christmas and the Owls next take on #9/9 Xavier Thursday night (7:00 p.m/ESPN/1210 AM WPHT).
