Feb. 11, 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Georgetown University Freshman Greg Monroe (New Orleans, La./Helen Cox) has been named to the Midseason Top 30 list of candidates for the John R. Wooden Award, one of the most coveted awards in college basketball. The Wooden Award is given annually to the nation's best collegiate player who has shown progress towards graduation by maintaining a 2.0 cumulative GPA. It has been awarded since 1976, and candidates are chosen based not only on basketball excellence on both ends of the court, but also on strength of character and their contribution to team effort.

Monroe has been a consistent performer for Georgetown since his very first game, where he recorded 14 points and five rebounds in a win over Jacksonville (11/17/08).

On the year Monroe is leading the Hoyas in rebounds (6.4), steals (1.8), and blocks (1.6) per game, while placing second on the team in scoring (13.0) and assists (2.9). He has scored in double figures 19 times this season, recording two double-doubles and leading the team in rebounding 12 times. Monroe highlighted his wide range of offensive and defensive abilities in this year's win over Providence (1/10/09), where he recorded 13 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists, five steals, and two blocks.

Monroe is the only freshman and one of only two centers named to the Midseason Top 30. He is one of ten players nominated from the BIG EAST, which occupied one third of the available selections. The ACC and Pac-10 had the second most players chosen, each having five players selected to the Top 30. The Award will be presented at the Los Angeles Athletic Club on the weekend of April 11-12.