Poughkeepsie, NY -- Marist College men's basketball player Sean Kennedy (Northport, NY) was named the Mid-Major College Most Valuable Player by the website CollegeInsider.com.
"I am honored to have received this award," Kennedy said. "To even be considered among all the players around the nation is a great honor."
Kennedy, a senior, led the Red Foxes to an overall record of 19-9 this season, and four consecutive years without a losing record. One of the top assist men in the nation, Kennedy ranks fourth in the nation, averaging 7.9 assists per game. He finished his career as the Red Foxes' second all-time leader in assists, with 670 on his career.
A graduate of St. Dominic's High School, Kennedy had a career season during his senior year, leading the Red Foxes with his 14.7 points per game. He scored a career-best 411 points over the course of the year, finishing with 1,007 for his time at Marist, ranking him 20th in program history. On the year Kennedy recorded a pair of triple doubles, as well as eight other double-doubles. He was also second on the team with his average of 5.5 rebounds a game, one of the top 6-foot-2 or shorter rebounders in all of Division I basketball.
Kennedy led the Red Foxes to a share of the MAAC regular-season title with a 13-5 record. He was named to the All-MAAC First Team for the second consecutive year, while also earning NABC District 2 First Team honors. He was also named the Most Valuable Player of the 2001 Pepsi Marist Classic, leading the Red Foxes to their first title since Kennedy's freshman season.
CollegeInsider.Com Most Valuable Player Announcement
It was a tough call, but in the end few if any meant as much to his team's success than Sean Kennedy at Marist.
The senior point guard is one of the America's best-kept secrets, despite being third in the nation in assists per game. And he would arguably be the nation's top assist man if he were playing in a power conference. He's that good.
Bowling Green head coach, Dan Dakich, who spent many years as an assistant to Bob Knight at Indiana, said, "In all my years of coaching I have never seen anyone do a better job of delivering the basketball than Sean Kennedy."
High praise for Kennedy who is one of a dying breed in today's game, as he is a true point guard.
Kennedy's passing, clutch shooting and leadership help Marist to a share of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference regular-season championship.