Troy University Athletics
Sharp Named Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Year
2/27/2007 12:00:00 AM | Basketball (M)
NEW ORLEANS, La. -- Troy senior Sammy Sharp has been named Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Year, the league office announced today after a vote of head coaches and selected media representatives. He becomes the first Trojan recognized by Sun Belt Conference for an individual postseason award.
"There is no doublt in my mind Sammy is the league's top defender," Head Coach Don Maestri said."He leads the league in blocks, but his presence altered shots and even prevented people from taking them. It is every deserving."
A 6-7 forward from Patterson, Ga., Sharp leads the Sun Belt in blocked shots with 60 (2.07 average) and is fourth in steals (1.76 average). He has multiple blocks on 18 occasions this season, including a career-high five twice (at Florida Atlantic, at Bowling Green). For the season, Sharp has 60, the second-most by a player in Troy's Division I history, and needs just nine more to equal the school record. He also ranks second on the Troy career list with 103.
Sharp stands second on the Trojans with 51 steals, just one shy of the school's top 10 list. He has seven games with at least three steals and 25 with at least one. He had a career high five vs. Arkansas State back in January.
The second-leading rebounder on the Trojans at 6.5 per game, Sharp ranks ninth in the league in the category. Hs stands 11th in defensive rebounds with 4.03 per contest. Sharp had a career high 13 boards at Bowling Green and has led the team in rebounding on nine occasions.
"The award surprises me," Sharp said when told of the announcement. "I think my hard work paid off. Defense has been a focus of mine since high school. I am also proud of the way our team plays defense, though. I am only one part of our zones."
Troy begins Sun Belt Conference Tournament play at home on Wednesday against Middle Tennessee. Tipoff for the matchup between the eight and nine seeds is set for 7 p.m.
