April 3, 2008

SPRINGFIELD, MASS. - Mike Green, a senior guard from Butler University, is the 2008 recipient of the Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award, presented annually by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame to the nation's outstanding senior male collegian 6'0" and under who has excelled both athletically and academically. Green, a native of Philadelphia, PA, started his college studies at Towson University. Green was one of two Towson basketball players to be named to the Dean's List in the spring of 2004. He then transferred to Butler University in 2005. Green then red-shirted during the 2005-2006 season at Butler.

But in Green's 2006-2007 season, he gracefully embraced No.10 across his back. Green has started in all 36 games and is one of five players for the Bulldogs to set a season record for games played. Green is also the first player in Butler basketball history to record 400 points, 200 rebounds and 100 assists in the same season. He led the Bulldogs in scoring, assists, and rebounding. In 2007, Green was named Horizon League Newcomer of the Year, picked second team NABC All-District 10, named to the second team All-Horizon League, and picked to the league's All-Newcomer Team.

Green's 2007-2008 season included an outstanding finish. Green was a key factor to Butler's success this season. While averaging fifteen points, six rebounds, and five assists per game, Green successfully guided the Bulldogs to national attention, taking them to No.1 in the Horizon League and consistently ranked within the Top 15 in the country. Green's leadership on the court for the Bulldogs has also been valuable in paving their way to the 2008 NCAA Tournament. Green was also nominated this season for the 2008 Bob Cousy Award based upon his leadership skills as a top collegiate point guard in the league. This year, Mike was named Horizon League Player of the Year and was chosen the Most Outstanding Player at the Horizon League Tournament. He also was the Most Outstanding Player at the Great Alaska Shootout. He was one of eight players in Division I to lead his team in scoring, rebounding and assists, and he repeated the feat he accomplished in 2006-07 (only Butler player ever to record 400 points, 200 rebounds and 100 assists in a season). He set a Butler single season record for assists this year with 172. He was a starter in 70 consecutive games, every game of his Butler career. "We are proud to honor Mr. Green with the 2008 Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award", stated John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. "The combination of his success on the court and his achievements in the classroom as a student-athlete make him a deserving recipient who exemplifies the qualities this award is designed to celebrate."

The Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award is named in honor of James Naismith's daughter-in-law. A panel of representatives from the National Association of Basketball Coaches selects the recipient. To earn the award, the recipient must demonstrate leadership, character, loyalty, all-around basketball ability and excellence in the classroom. The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame pays tribute to the game's inventor, Dr. James Naismith. Located in Springfield, Mass., "the Birthplace of Basketball", the world's only Basketball Hall of Fame promotes and preserves men's and women's basketball at every level - professional, collegiate, scholastic, Olympic, international and wheelchair.

Previous Winners of the Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award

1969 William Keller, Purdue University
1970 John Rinka, Kenyon
1971 Charlie Johnson, University of California
1972 Scott Martin, University of Oklahoma
1973 Robert Sherwin, Army
1974 Mike Robinson, Michigan State
1975 Monte Tow, North Carolina State
1976 Frank Alagia, St. John's
1977 Jeff Jonas, Utah
1978 Mike Schieb, Susquehanna
1979 Alton Byrd, Columbia
1980 Jim Sweeney, Boston College
1981 Terry Adolph, West Texas State
1982 Jack Moore, University of Nebraska
1983 Ray McMallum, Ball State University
1984 Ricky Stokes, University of Virginia
1985 Bubba Jennings, Texas Tech University
1986 Jim Les, Bradley University
1987 Tyrone Bogues, Wake Forest University
1988 Jerry Johnson, Florida Southern
1989 Tim Hardaway, UTEP
1990 Greg Harvey, St. John's
1991 Keith Jennings, East Tennessee State
1992 Tony Bennett, Wisconsin-Green Bay
1993 Sam Crawford, New Mexico State
1994 Greg Brown, University of New Mexico
1995 Tyus Edney, UCLA
1996 Eddie Benton, University of Vermont
1997 Brevin Knight, Stanford University
1998 Earl Boykins, E. Michigan University
1999 Shawnta Rogers, George Washington U.
2000 Scoonie Penn, Ohio State University
2001 Rashad Phillips, Detroit
2002 Steve Logan, Cincinnati
2003 Jason Gardner, University of Arizona
2004 Jameer Nelson, St. Joseph's
2005 Nate Robinson, University of Washington
2006 Dee Brown, University of Illinois
2007 Tre' Kelley, University of South Carolina