Wolverine Awards Announced at 'M' Basketball Bust

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Several University of Michigan basketball players were honored this evening (Wednesday, April 5) at the 39th Annual U-M Basketball Bust held at Crisler Arena.

	Blanchard		Gaines

Freshman forward LaVell Blanchard (Ann Arbor, Mich./Pioneer HS) and freshman guard Kevin Gaines (Las Vegas, Nev./Clark HS) were each honored twice, while senior Peter Vignier (Teaneck, N.J./Teaneck HS) picked up his third career team award.

Blanchard and Gaines shared the team's most valuable player honor as they each received the BILL BUNTIN MOST VALUABLE PLAYER AWARD. They are the first freshmen to receive the award since Jalen Rose and Chris Webber shared the honor in 1992.

Blanchard led the team in rebounding all season long and finished with 7.9 rebounds a game. He was second on the team in scoring average (14.4) and led the team in scoring in 12 games and in rebounding 19 times. He also collected nine double-doubles on the season to lead the team. Blanchard also received the LOY VAUGHT REBOUNDING AWARD.

Gaines played in all 29 games, with 28 starts, and led the team in assists with a 4.58 per game average after collecting the 18th best mark for assists in a season with 133. He also averaged 11.7 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 32.4 minutes per contest. Gaines also received the WAYMAN BRITT DEFENSIVE PLAYER AWARD.

Vignier closed out his U-M career being named as the recipient of the THAD GARNER LEADERSHIP AWARD, his third career team honor. Vignier finished his final year playing in 28 games with three starts, while averaging 4.8 points and 4.1 rebounds a game. For his career, he started 34 games, had 349 points, 47 assists, 29 steals, 36 blocks, 10 career games with double-figure points, and four double-doubles.

Senior Darius Taylor (Chicago, Ill./Lake View HS) was awarded the TRAVIS CONLAN SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD, honoring the Michigan basketball player who provides leadership, guidance and competitive spirit. Taylor, who played a limited role in his four years for the Wolverines, earned a scholarship after his junior season. Taylor played in 35 career games at Michigan and received his first start as a Wolverine in the last regular season home game, against Iowa (March 1).

Sophomore Chris Young (Plymouth, Mich./Detroit Catholic Central HS) was named as the RUDY TOMJANOVICH AWARD recipient as the Wolverines' most improved player. Young finished the season averaging 4.7 points and 3.7 rebounds a game. He also collected career highs in blocks (18) and steals (14).

The STEVE GROTE HUSTLE AWARD went to walk-on sophomore Mike Gotfredson (Grosse Pointe, Mich./North HS). Gotfredson, in his first year with the team after transferring from Calvin College, sat out the season due to the NCAA transfer rules but was instrumental as the leader of the Grey Squad, the Michigan scout team.

Michigan finished the 1999-2000 season with a 15-14 overall record and a trip to the National Invitation Tournament.

2000 Michigan Basketball Bust Award Winners

LaVell Blanchard, Kevin Gaines	Bill Buntin Most Valuable Player Award
LaVell Blanchard	Loy Vaught Rebounding Award
Kevin Gaines	Wayman Britt Defensive Player Award
Peter Vignier	Thad Garner Leadership Award
Darius Taylor	Travis Conlan Sportsmanship Award
Chris Young	Rudy Tomjanovich Most Improved Award
Mike Gotfredson	Steve Grote Hustler Award