BOSTON – LA Tech forward Isaiah Crawford and Sam Houston guard Lamar Wilkerson were named finalists for the 2023-24 Lou Henson National Player of the Year, announced Wednesday by CollegeInsider.com.
 
The award is presented annually to the top player in mid-major college basketball. The Lou Henson award honors the former Illinois and New Mexico State head coach who won 775 games in 41 seasons.
 
Crawford became just the second LA Tech student-athlete to garner both CUSA Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honors. A do-it-all star for the Bulldogs, Crawford was the only DI player with at least 400 points, 150 rebounds, 50 assists, 50 steals and 50 blocks this season.
 
He ranked in the top-three in CUSA play in scoring (2^nd, 17.9), field-goal percentage (3^rd, .495), blocks (2^nd, 2.2), steals (3^rd, 2.2) and minutes per game (1^st, 35.2), while finishing seventh in rebounding (6.1). He tied for the league lead with six 20-point performances against CUSA foes.
 
Wilkerson led Sam Houston in scoring (13.8) while averaging 3.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists. He set the Bearkats up for success in league play with four-straight 20-point games to begin CUSA play. In a win over NM State on Feb. 22, Wilkerson knocked down all seven three-point attempts in the first half on his way to 25 points.
 
The recipient of the annual award is determined by a 10-member voting committee, which consists of current and former head coaches, as well as two senior staff members of CollegeInsider.com. The winner of the 2024 award will be announced in Phoenix, Ariz., the site of the men’s Division I Basketball Championship.