Okafor Named USBWA District III Player of the Year

DURHAM, N.C. -- Duke's Jahlil Okafor was named the United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) District III Player of the Year, as announced by the organization Tuesday. Okafor becomes the third Blue Devil in as many years to earn the association's honor. Okafor and teammates Quinn Cook, Tyus Jones and Justise Winslow, were also named to the All-District team.

Okafor, the ACC Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year, is averaging 17.6 points and 9.2 rebounds per game for the 28-3 Duke Blue Devils. Okafor ranks as one of the top freshmen in the country in a number of categories, including his 66.8 percent field goal percentage, which ranks second in the country, and his 4.00 orpg. that ranks seventh. Earlier this season, Okafor became the first freshman in ACC history to record 28 straight double-digit scoring games.

Cook, a second-team all-conference recipient, has seen the best offensive output of his college campaign, with career bests in made field goals (165), field goal percentage (.458), made three pointers (88), three point field goal percentage (.404), made free throws (77), free throw percentage (.885) and points per game (16.0). Cook's 2.84 three point field goals per game average is the best in the conference this season, while his 40.4 percent shooting from beyond the arc is the fourth highest in the ACC.

Jones, an All-ACC Third Team honoree, remains an efficient facilitator for Duke this season, accounting for 36.3 percent of Duke's assists and helping the Blue Devils rank third in the conference and 17th in the country in assists per game. Jones has also been reliable for Duke at the free throw line this year, shooting 88.2 percent from the charity stripe, which paces the conference and ranks 14th in the nation.

Winslow has returned to early season form over Duke's last 12 games, averaging 15.3 ppg., 7.7 rpg., 2.2 apg., 0.9 bpg. and 1.9 spg. over the 12-game stretch. Winslow has accounted for four of Duke's 21 double-doubles this season and has posted at least one point, rebound, assist, block and steal in 11 games this year.

Duke has now had six USBWA District III Players of the Year, with Okafor joining previous Duke winners Chris Duhon (2004), J.J. Redick (2006), Nolan Smith (2011), Mason Plumlee (2013) and Jabari Parker (2014).

A complete list of the USBWA All-District Teams is available http://goduke.us/1BnhqtX.

USBWA All-District Teams - DISTRIC III (VA, NC, SC, MD)
Player of the Year
Jahlil Okafor, Duke

Coach of the Year
Tony Bennett, Virginia

All-District Team:
Justin Anderson, Virginia
Malcolm Brogdon, Virginia
Quinn Cook, Duke
Tyus Jones, Duke
Trevor Lacey, NC State
Jahlil Okafor, Duke
Marcus Paige, North Carolina
Melo Trimble, Maryland
Dez Wells, Maryland
Justise Winslow, Duke