Sophomore guards Jordan Farmar and Arron Afflalo were given the
John Wooden Award as UCLA’s Co-MVP’s at UCLA’s
annual Hoopsters Awards/Dinner Banquet on Tuesday. The co-captains,
both of whom are expected to announce whether they intend to return
to school or enter the NBA Draft by the April 29 deadline, took the
stage for numerous other awards at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza.
Afflalo, an honorable AP All-American, was also given the Irv
Pohlmeyer Memorial Award for the second year in a row as
UCLA’s top defensive player, while Farmar, an All-Tournament
member of the Final Four, was given the UCLA Alumni Association
Award as the team’s assist leader. “It was a great
season overall, and I’m just glad we could enjoy these
benefits afterwards,” Afflalo said at the team’s final
media gathering two weeks ago. “We accomplished so many great
things for the program this year.” Joining Farmar and Afflalo
in the celebration was Pac-10 Freshman of the Year Luc Richard Mbah
a Moute, who received the Seymour Armond Memorial Award as the
team’s most valuable freshman, and the Gerald A. Finerman
Award as the team’s top rebounder. He was joined by two
fellow freshmen, point guard Darren Collison and forward Alfred
Aboya, in receiving awards. Aboya won the award for Academic
Achievement and Team Contribution, while Collison was given the
award for Most Improvement in All-Around Play and Mental
Attitude.
AFFLALO TO WAIT: Afflalo has delayed his
decision to hold a press conference regarding his NBA intentions
until later this week or even further in the future, a UCLA
athletic department official said. Afflalo had originally planned
to hold a press conference earlier this week. Farmar is still
expected hold a press conference in the near future.