John Linehan Named Best Defender By The Sporting News

Nov. 16, 2001

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- It was announced on November 15 that Providence College senior John Linehan (Chester, Pa.) was named the "Best Defender" of all point guards in college basketball, according to the Sporting News' November 19th issue. The Sporting News, a national sports weekly, has featured a college basketball preview in its November 19th issue, which includes a section on five Division I point guards.

Linehan, the 2001 BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year, also has been named Preseason All-BIG EAST First Team and one of the Top-50 Preaseason Candidates for the 2001-02 Wooden Award All-America Team.

Linehan, a two-time captain for the Friars, had a strong season in 2000-01. The 5-9 guard led the BIG EAST in steals with 53 in 16 conference games (3.31). He also led the league in steals in overall action, averaging 3.12 thefts per game (81 steals in 26 games). He was third on the team in scoring last season, averaging 10.7 points per game.

In addition to earning BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year honors last season, Linehan also was named All-BIG EAST Second Team, Basketball Times Third Team All-America, College Insider.Com National Defensive Player of the Year, USBWA All-District 1 and NABC All-District 1 Second Team. At Providence College, Linehan earned the 2001 Male Athlete of the Year Award, as well as, the team's Jimmy Walker Most Valuable Player Award and he also received the squad's Marvin Barnes Defensive Player Award.

Linehan and Friars will tip off the 2001-02 season on November 16 against Siena College at 7:30 p.m. at the Dunkin' Donuts Center.

The Sporting News Division I Points Guard Honors:

Jason Williams - Duke - The Best Scoring Guard

Brett Nelson - Florida - The Best Ballhandler

John Linehan - Providence - The Best Defender

Jameer Nelson - St. Jospeh's - The Best Passer

Dan Dickau - Gonzaga - The Best Shooter

-end-

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John Linehan Named Best Defender By The Sporting News

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