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Jan. 19, 2016
For Immediate Release
Contact: Joe Mitch
314-795-6821

Guard scores 42 as Pokes nearly stun Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA STATE'S EVANS NAMED
WAYMAN TISDALE FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK

ST. LOUIS (USBWA) – Oklahoma State guard Jawun Evans is the Wayman Tisdale National Freshman of the Week for games ending the week of Jan. 17 Ingram was selected by CBSSports.com's Matt Norlander, in partnership with the U.S. Basketball Writers Association.

Norlander's popular weekly freshman watch column will continue to feature nation's the top freshmen each week in addition to the national player of the week. Later in the season, the USBWA will release a midseason watch list before naming finalists for the award. This season marks the first time a weekly national freshman of the week will be selected and, each Tuesday through Feb. 23, a standout first-year player will be chosen for the honor.

Norlander writes of the Dallas product: "Oklahoma State is just 9-8 this season, and at 1-4 in the Big 12, reaching the NCAA Tournament is practically a long shot. But here's a bright spot for the Cowboys – Jawun Evans. OSU gave Oklahoma a real run of it last week, and in that 74-72 loss, Evans had 42 points, which set a program record for most in a game by a first-year Cowboys player. In fact, the previous mark was 29.

It was also the most points by any Poke in a Bedlam game (meaning against Oklahoma, specifically) and was the third-highest point total by a Cowboy in school history. The last time an Oklahoma State player had this many points in a game was back in 1995, when Randy Rutherford put up 45 in Allen Fieldhouse. Plus, Evans' 42 was a season-high for freshman in college hoops this season.

He followed that up with 12 points, eight rebounds and seven assists in OSU's 74-69 loss against Texas. All told, a really good week for him."

The Integris Wayman Tisdale Award is to be presented to the national freshman of the year at the College Basketball Awards on April 11, 2016, at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. The Oscar Robertson Trophy and the Henry Iba Coach of the Year Award will also be presented at the gala to be held annually following the NCAA Men's Final Four.

The USBWA has chosen a national freshman of the year since the 1988-89 season when LSU's Chris Jackson was the recipient. Last season, Duke's Jabari Parker became the fourth winner of the Wayman Tisdale Award. Other notable previous winners of the national freshman of the year award include Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony, Jason Kidd and Chris Webber.

The Tisdale Award winner will receive a statuette designed by nationally-recognized sculptor Shan Gray.

The late Wayman Tisdale was a three-time USBWA All-American at the University of Oklahoma. Following a stint on the 1984 U.S. Olympic basketball team, he played 12 seasons in the NBA before retiring in 1997 to focus on a blossoming jazz music career. In March 2007, he was diagnosed with cancer and, following a courageous and difficult battle that included the amputation of his right leg in 2008, he passed away in May 2009.

The Integris Wayman Tisdale Freshman of the Year Award is produced by Access Sports, an Oklahoma City-based 501(c)(3) not-for-profit foundation responsible for creating the Wayman Tisdale Freshman of the Year Award. Access Sports produces all events associated with the award, including the annual awards dinner. Proceeds from the activities affiliated with the award are used to support various worthy charitable causes, including providing opportunities for disadvantaged youth to participate in basketball leagues, clinics, and training throughout the state. In addition, Access Sports supports the Wayman L. Tisdale Foundation which helps fund prosthetics for those who cannot afford the cost on their own and may not be covered by insurance.

Tickets and sponsorship information for the College Basketball Awards are available at collegebasketballawards.com or by contacting Scott Hill (405-640-0406, scott.hill@access-sports.net).

The U.S. Basketball Writers Association was formed in 1956 at the urging of then-NCAA Executive Director Walter Byers. With more than 900 members worldwide, it is one of the most influential organizations in college basketball. It has selected an All-America team since the 1956-57 season. For more information on the USBWA and its award programs, contact executive director Joe Mitch at 314-795-6821.

Related Link:
• Integris Wayman Tisdale Award (from integrisok.com)

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