April 14, 2008
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NASHVILLE — The players and coaches whose efforts helped Vanderbilt reach consecutive NCAA Tournaments for the first time since 1988 and 1989 were recognized Sunday during the Commodore men’s basketball banquet at the University Club on Vanderbilt’s campus.
Eight Commodore players received accolades for their exploits on the floor in 2007-08.
The Vanderbilt coaching staff handed out 10 awards to well-deserving players and contributors to the program:
* Senior Alex Gordon was acknowledged three times Sunday with the Captain’s award, the Leadership award, and the Defensive Player of the Year honor. The Pensacola, Fla., native displayed outstanding leadership and unselfishness in his senior year, averaging 10.8 points and 3.1 assists per game. He also shot 40.1% from beyond-the-arc, which placed him third in the SEC in 2007-08.
* Senior Shan Foster captured the Captain’s Award and the team’s Most Valuable Player honor. Foster had a record breaking season in being named the SEC Player of the Year and a second-team All-American by the Associated Press. The 6’6 senior leaves Vanderbilt as the school’s all-time leading scorer and all-time leader in three pointers made and attempted.
* Senior Ross Neltner was honored with the Captain’s Award and the Scholar-Athlete Award for his efforts in the classroom.
* Senior Davis Nwankwo won the Coaches’ Award in 2007-08 for his role as a Student-Assistant coach.
* Senior Alan Metcalfe shared the Captain’s Award with Gordon, Foster, and Neltner.
* Freshman A.J. Ogilvy’s efforts on the backboards earned him the Rebounder Award. He averaged a team-high 6.7 rebounds and finished the season ninth in the SEC in rebounding.
* Sophomore Jermaine Beal was honored with the team’s Assist Award. He averaged 4.6 assists per game in 2007-08 and led the SEC in assist-to-turnover ratio.
* Redshirt freshman Festus Ezeli won the team’s Most Improved Player Award.
* Also honored at the banquet was Debbie Green, the team’s ticket manager, received the Ken Hudgens award for her dedication and spirit for the Vanderbilt men’s basketball program.
Vanderbilt finished the 2007-08 season with a 26-8 overall record and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive year. The Commodores won 25 regular season games, which tied a school record, and began the year 16-0, which is the best start for a Vanderbilt team in the history of the school. During the season, Vanderbilt defeated No. 1 Tennessee in Nashville, the second consecutive year the Commodores have knocked off the number one ranked team in the nation.
