BENCH MASTER: KRIS JOSEPH BIG EAST’S TOP SIXTH MAN
Syracuse Coach Jim Boeheim calls him a starter off the bench, and now he's been rewarded for it.Montreal forward Kris Joseph has been named the BIG EAST Conference Sixth Man of the Year after he emerged as one of the top young talents in college basketball.
The 6-7 wing from Cote-des-Neiges came off the bench for 30 out of 31 games for the 'Cuse this season, averaging 11.0 points and 5.4 rebounds. Those are the third-best marks on the squad and some of the best stats by any bench player in the nation.
His aggressive drives to the basket have provided a crucial offensive punch for the Orange (28-3, 15-3), who were recently the #1 team in the country and are considered a front-runner to win the national championship.
Joseph has scored in double digits in 19 games this season, including a career-high 23 against Providence. He also posted double-doubles against Florida (12 points, 10 rebounds) and Marquette (14 points, 11 rebounds). What's more, he leads the team in made and attempted free throws.
The Sixth Man Award was first presented in 2007-08. Joseph is the first Syracuse player to earn the honour.
Joseph headed south after Grade 10 to go to Archbishop Carroll in Washington D.C. Prior to that, he led Quebec to a surprise silver medal at the Canada Games in 2005.
A FAMILY AFFAIR
Joseph is part of one of the top basketball families in Canada. His brother Maurice is an all-conference guard at the University of Vermont and their cousin Devoe is a starting guard for the University of Minnesota.
What's more, Devoe's brother Corey is arguably the top high-school point guard in the United States and has been selected as a McDonald's All-American.
Post date - March 8, 2010
September 10, 2010
