NCAA Basketball: Revisiting the 2003-04 college basketball season
Award Winners
Consensus First Team All-America:
G – SR Jameer Nelson, St. Joseph’s: As a senior, Nelson averaged 20.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game for the #5 team in the country. He was an electric point guard and was named the Player of the Year in all of college basketball.
G – SR Andre Emmett, Texas Tech: Another senior, Texas Tech’s Andre Emmett was a dangerous scorer at the college level. On 52.6% shooting from the floor, Emmett scored 20.6 points and snagged 6.6 rebounds per game for the Red Raiders.
F – JR Lawrence Roberts, Mississippi State: A leader on one of the best teams in the country, Lawrence Roberts was the SEC Player of the Year. He averaged a double-double on the year with 16.9 points and 10.1 rebounds.
F – JR Ryan Gomes, Providence: Gomes had an incredibly productive career with the Providence Friars. As a junior, he came close to averaging a double-double, but still averaged an incredible 18.9 points and 9.4 rebounds per game. He helped Providence finish third in the Big East and make the NCAA Tournament.
C – JR Emeka Okafor, Connecticut: The anchor to the defense that won the National Championship, Okafor had a tremendous junior season. He was the Big East Player of the Year and averaged 17.6 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 4.1 blocks (!) per game.
Consensus Second Team All-America:
G – JR Devin Harris, Wisconsin: Harris was one of the most electric players in Wisconsin basketball history. With elite quickness and scoring ability, Harris dropped home 19.5 points per game for the #10 team in the country. He left after the 2003-04 season to pursue a career in the NBA, where he is a one-time All-Star.
G – JR Josh Childress, Stanford: The Pac-10 Player of the Year, Childress averaged 15.7 points and 7.5 rebounds per game as a junior. Despite only playing in 23 games, Childress was a nightmare for teams to defend. This was also his last season playing college basketball.
G – SR Blake Stepp, Gonzaga: This was Stepp’s second straight season as the WCC Player of the Year. Although he had a “down” season compared to his junior campaign, Stepp averaged 14.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game as one of the most well-rounded players nationwide.
F – JR Julius Hodge, NC State: The ACC Player of the Year, Hodge was the leader for the Wolfpack. A balanced offensive player, Hodge dropped in 18.2 points per game and dished out a modest 3.6 assists in each content. In addition, he was able to snag 6.4 rebounds per game, which helped keep offensive possessions alive or allow him to start a transition break for NC State.
F – SR Luke Jackson, Oregon: This was a breakout and a special season for Luke Jackson. After back-to-back seasons of 16 points per game, he upped his average to 21.2 points as a senior while also increasing his rebounds to 7.2 per game and his assists to 4.5 per game. He was a prolific 3-point shooter (44.0% on 5.4 attempts per game) and was an extremely efficient scorer.
Wooden Award: Jameer Nelson, St. Joseph’s
USCBWA Freshman of the Year: Luol Deng, Duke
Sporting News Freshman of the Year: Chris Paul, Wake Forest
AP Coach of the Year: Phil Martelli, St. Joseph’s
NABC Defensive Player of the Year: Emeka Okafor, Connecticut
Next: Best home court advantages in college hoops
The 2003-04 season was a great one to follow and featured some of the best defensive talent college basketball has recently seen. Emeka Okafor was a difference-maker on both ends of the floor and was able to lead Connecticut to their second title. This was UCONN’s second title in the span of six years. The 2004-05 season was much more centered around powerhouse programs, so stay tuned for our revisit of that season coming soon.