Creighton's redshirt freshman center Justin Patton has been named as one of the 10 finalists for the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year Award. A national committee made up of top college basketball personnel announced a watch list of 20 names in October and has now narrowed that list to 10.
"Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is unquestionably one of the most accomplished centers of all-time," John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame said. "His mindful and spirited approach to the game put him in a class of his own at both the collegiate and professional level and we appreciate his insights as we look to recognize the best centers in the game today."
Patton's first active season with the Jays has been one for the books, as he has led the team in rebounds (6.4 per game) and blocked shots (1.6 per game), while coming in second in points scored per game with 14. He also ranks third in the nation in field goal percentage at 71.4-percent.
Patton has also kept the CenturyLink Center rocking as he has started in all 23 of Creighton's games and averages 2.3 dunks per game.
The winner of the 2017 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award will be presented at ESPN's College Basketball Awards, presented by Wendy's, live from The Novo by Microsoft in downtown Los Angeles on Friday, April 7, 2017.
