Central Michigan University Athletics
Kaman Named MAC Defensive Player of the Year
3/10/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
March 10, 2003
MOUNT PLEASANT -- Central Michigan University junior Chris Kaman (Wyoming, Mich./Tri-unity Christian HS) was named the Mid-American Conference "Defensive Player of the Year" on Monday.
Kaman helped lead the Chippewas to their second MAC regular season title in the last three years with a 21-6 overall and 14-4 MAC record.
Kaman is the first Chippewa to earn the award which began in 1997. The honor is voted on by the MAC coaches.
The seven-footer tallied a MAC-high 84 blocks and he adjusted countless other shots on the year. The 84 blocks currently ties for second-best in a season at CMU and he has blocked more shots than nine entire MAC teams. Kaman ranks second in the conference in rebounding with 12.2 per contest. He is also second in scoring (22.5 ppg) and leads the league in field goal percentage (.634).
Whitney Robinson was named the MAC "Sixth Man of the Year" on Monday and Toledo's Sammy Villegas was tabbed the "Freshman of the Year." Joining Villegas on the all-freshman team were Bowling Green's Ron Lewis, Miami's Josh Hausfeld, Kent State's DeAndre Haynes, and Northern Illinois' Todd Peterson.
The MAC "Player of the Year," "Coach of the Year," and All-MAC teams will be announced on Wednesday morning.
