UConn Huskies junior point guard Kemba Walker is among the 20 finalists for the 2011 Bob Cousy Award. Here’s the press release from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

JANUARY 12, 2011 – The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts announced today 20 finalists for the 2011 Bob Cousy Award. This annual award is given to college basketball’s top point guard and is named after Hall of Famer and former Boston Celtic great Bob Cousy. An original list of 70 plus candidates was trimmed by a Hall of Fame appointed, nationally based committee to the below list of 20.

Bob Cousy Award“This list makes up college basketball’s elite at the point guard position,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. “These 20 players in contention for the award all have skills that Mr. Cousy would be proud of. The Hall of Fame looks forward to having these players compete for one of college basketball’s most prestigious awards.”

“We are pleased with our list of 20 candidates that have advanced into the next round of the process,” said Ken Kauffman, Chair of the 2011 Bob Cousy Award. “We’ve got a very competitive field of players in contention for the award and we look forward to moving into the next phase. All of these players are well deserving of the recognition.”

The current listing of 20 finalists for the 2011 Bob Cousy Award will be narrowed down to 10 players by February 3rd and than further to five players by March 3rd. The final five players in contention for the award will be presented to Mr. Cousy and the Hall of Fame’s selection committee. This Hall of Fame committee is made up of top college basketball personnel including media members, head coaches, Sports Information Directors and Hall of Famers. The winner of the 2011 Bob Cousy Award will be awarded at the Hall of Fame’s Class Announcement on Monday April 4th in Houston as part of NCAA Final Four weekend.

Previous winners of the Bob Cousy Award have included: Jameer Nelson (St. Joseph’s), Raymond Felton (North Carolina), Dee Brown (Illinois), Acie Law (Texas A & M), DJ Augustin (Texas), Ty Lawson (North Carolina) and Greivis Vasquez (Maryland). For more information on the 2011 Bob Cousy Award, log onto www.cousyaward.com .

To see the final 20 candidates for the 2011 Bob Cousy Award, click on the read more button below if you’re on the homepage.

Kevin Anderson – Richmond
Norris Cole – Cleveland State
Malcolm Delaney – Virginia Tech
Corey Fisher – Villanova
Jimmer Fredette – Brigham Young
DJ Gay – San Diego State
Tu Holloway – Xavier
Scoop Jardine – Syracuse
Brandon Knight – Kentucky
Kalin Lucas – Michigan State
Demetri McCamey – Illinois
Mickey McConnell – St. Mary’s College
Jacob Pullen – Kansas State
Nolan Smith – Duke
Isaiah Thomas – Washington
Jordan Taylor – Wisconsin
Tyshawn Taylor – Kansas
Kemba Walker – Connecticut
Casper Ware – Long Beach State
Chris Wright – Georgetown