An early entry candidate for the 2006 NBA Draft.
Career Highlights: A First-Team All-Big East selection in 2005-06. Led the conference in scoring and ranked sixth nationally, averaging 25.3 points per game. Recipient of the Haggerty Award as the 2005-06 All-Met Division I Men’s College Basketball Player of the Year. Earned All-America honors as a junior from The Associated Press (honorable mention), CollegeHoops.net (fourth team) and CollegeInsider.com. Named the 2005-06 U.S. Basketball Writers Association District II Player of the Year. Ended his collegiate career among the Top-25 in Rutgers history in 10 statistical categories.
Junior (2005-06): Scored a career-high (and Carrier dome record) 41 points at Syracuse on 15-for-32 shooting, including 9-of-17 from beyond the arc. Ranked first in the Big East in scoring at 25.3 ppg, third in three-point field goals made, fifth in free-throw percentage and sixth in steals. Was named Big East and ESPN.com National Player of the Week following a 36-point, 11-rebound performance in a road victory over St. Mary’s (CA). Was named to the Big East honor roll 10 times in 2005-06, the most of any player in the league. Reached the 20-point plateau in 24 of Rutgers’ final 29 games.
Sophomore (2004-05): Started 26 of the 29 contests in which he played, averaging 15.1 points. Opened his sophomore campaign with three-straight 20-plus point performances, over Charlotte, St. Mary’s and Penn State. Dished out 98 assists, an average of 3.6 per game, including a season-best nine assists against St. John’s.
Freshman (2003-04): Averaged 12.5 points despite starting only five of Rutgers’ 33 games. Shot .425 from three-point range, and .826 from the free-throw line. Scored 17 points and added five rebounds and three assists in his collegiate debut, a 71-65 victory over Lafayette. Tallied a freshman-best 35 points in an 84-81 overtime victory over Iowa State.
Strengths: A natural scorer, with tremendous range on his jumpshot and a quick release. Can also get into the lane and score or create for others. Possesses a fearless approach for the game, wanting the ball in his hands at crucial junctures.
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