Murdaugh named 2002 CBA Defensive Player of the Year
Published on March 25, 2002 under Continental Basketball Association 1 (CBA 1) News Release
Boise, Idaho (March 26, 2002)â The Continental Basketball Association announced today that Saskatchewan Hawks guard Willie Murdaugh was named 2002 Defensive Player of the Year and to the CBA All-Defensive Team. Also earning All-Defensive honors were Dakota Wizards center Ken Johnson, Dakota guard Michael Johnson, Dakota guard/forward Kevin Rice and Grand Rapids Hoops forward Antonio Smith.
Murdaugh, a 6-3 product of South Carolina- Spartanburg ('92), ranked second in the league with 2.5 steals per game. Since signing with the Hawks on Jan. 8, 2002 he posted 18.7 points (5th) and 6.2 rebounds in 27 games. From 1997-1999 Murdaugh averaged 6.1 points and 2.6 rebounds in 53 games with the CBA's Idaho Stampede. Last season he was named Defensive Player of the Year in the International Basketball Association with the Dakota Wizards.
Current Wizard Michael Johnson (10.2 ppg, 3 rpg) fills the other guard spot on the All-Defensive team with swingman Rice positioning at forward. Rice averaged 9.8 points, 5 rebounds and a league high 2.7 steals in 2001-02.
Shot blocker (1.9 per game) Ken Johnson was the leading vote getter at center while rebounding king (11.4 per game) Smith received the most votes at the forward position.
The Defensive Player of the Year and All-Defensive Team were voted on by the CBA head coaches. Tied for third in the balloting at guard were Ruben Nembhard of the Fargo-Moorhead Beez and Tim Winn of the Hawks. Chianti Roberts of the Beez trailed at forward while Simeon Haley of the Flint Fuze came in second at the center position. To be eligible the player must have played in at least half of their team's 2001-02 games and must be in good standing with the CBA. Coaches could not vote for their own players.
Continental Basketball Association 1 Stories from March 25, 2002
- Murdaugh named 2002 CBA Defensive Player of the Year - CBA 1
- CBA Playoff Preview - CBA 1
- Beez' Nembhard earns his third CBA Player of the Week Award - Fargo-Moorhead Beez
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