Harris Named Michigan MVP at Team Awards Celebration

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ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan men's basketball team, along with coach John Beilein, honored the efforts and achievements of its players and staff at the 47th annual U-M Basketball Awards Celebration on Monday (April 14) at the Junge Family Champions Center.

Freshman Manny Harris(Detroit, Mich./Redford HS) highlighted the evening as he was awarded the BILL BUNTIN MOST VALUABLE PLAYER AWARD as well as the AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING FREE THROW SHOOTING. In his first season with the Wolverines, Harris led U-M in points per game (16.1), steals (1.40), minutes per game (33.0) and free throw percentage (.817). Harris scored in double figures in 21 games with eight games of 20-plus points. With his 516 total points, he posted the fourth best freshman single-season total. He set the U-M freshman record with 156 free throws on the season, which ranks as the fifth best total in U-M history. In addition to the U-M honors, Harris was named All-Big Ten Conference second team as well as to the Big Ten All-Freshman team.

Senior/junior C.J. Lee(Pittsford, N.Y./Pittsford Sutherland HS) was honored with two awards as he received the THAD GARNER LEADERSHIP AWARD and the STEVE GROTE HUSTLE AWARD. After sitting out last season following a transfer from Manhattan, Lee played in all 32 games with seven starts. The Academic All-Big Ten selection set single-game career highs for points (8), rebounds (5), assists (4), steals (2) and minutes (23) during the 2007-08 season.

Sophomore Ekpe Udoh(Edmond, Okla./Santa Fe HS) was presented the WAYMAN BRITT OUTSTANDING DEFENISVE PLAYER AWARD after closing another season as the Wolverines' defensive presence in the post. Udoh, who has not missed a game in two seasons, led the Big Ten in blocked shots (2.87 per game) after posting 26 multiple-block games in 2007-08. Udoh's 92 total blocks during the season set the U-M sophomore class single-season record and rank as the second best season performance in the history of U-M basketball. Udoh, who also set a single-season career best with 27 steals, became the fifth Wolverine to join U-M's 150-block club as he has tallied 159 in his young career. In addition to the U-M honor, Udoh was named to the Big Ten All-Defensive team.

With his improved play through out the season, sophomore/freshman Anthony Wright(Sterling, Va./Oak Hill Academy) was granted the RUDY TOMJANOVICH MOST IMPROVED PLAYER AWARD. After redshirting last season, he played in 32 games in 2007-08 and started five of the last six games. He averaged 5.1 points and 3.3 rebounds while draining 35 three-point field goals, with 26 of them coming in the second half of the season.

Senior Ron Coleman(Romulus, Mich./Romulus HS) was given the TRAVIS CONLAN SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD. Coleman played in 129 career games, ranking him eighth all-time. He started 81 career games and closed his career with 769 points (6.0 per game), 373 rebounds (2.9) and 137 assists (1.1). He ranks eighth all-time with 356 three-point attempts and 10th all-time with 116 three-point field goals.

Junior/sophomore Zack Gibson(Grand Blanc, Mich./Grand Blanc HS) was chosen as the inaugural winner of the SIXTH MAN AWARD. In his first season after transferring from Rutgers, Gibson played in all 32 games and averaged 5.4 points and 2.8 rebounds. He led U-M in field goal percentage (.482) and drained 12 three-pointers.

After leading the team in assists in his first season with 90 (2.81 per game), freshman Kelvin Grady(Grand Rapids, Mich./East Grand Rapids HS) was presented the GARY GRANT AWARD FOR MOST ASSISTS. Sophomore DeShawn Sims(Detroit, Mich./Pershing HS) was honored with the LOY VAUGHT REBOUNDING AWARD after he led U-M in rebounding and doubled his rebounding production from a season ago (2.3 to 5.4 per game). Sims set a new career best with 173 on the season and was honored as an All-Big Ten honorable mention selection after a breakout sophomore season.

Despite redshirting the season, freshman Eric Puls(Alpena, Mich./Alpena HS) was awarded the IRON MAN AWARD for his outstanding efforts during practice/scout team play and continued effort to get better with work on and off the court. For the second straight year, senior David Merritt(West Bloomfield, Mich./West Bloomfield HS) was granted the BODNAR AWARD FOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT. Merritt, an Academic All-Big Ten selection, played in 20 games this season off the bench. He is scheduled to graduate with a degree in sport management.

Michigan closed the 2007-08 season with a 10-22 overall record. The Wolverines, who were 5-13 in Big Ten play, advanced to the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals.

2008 Michigan Basketball Celebration Awards

Bill Buntin Most Valuable Player	Manny Harris
Wayman Britt Outstanding Defensive Player	Ekpe Udoh
Rudy Tomjanovich Most Improved Player	Anthony Wright
Thad Garner Leadership Award	C.J. Lee
Steve Grote Hustle Award	C.J. Lee
Travis Conlan Sportsmanship Award	Ron Coleman
Bodnar Award for Academic Achievement	David Merritt
Gary Grant Award for Most Assists	Kelvin Grady
Loy Vaught Rebounding Award	DeShawn Sims
Award for Outstanding Free Throw Shooting	Manny Harris
Sixth Man Award	Zack Gibson
Iron Man Award	Eric Puls