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University of Houston Athletics
Grimes Named Naismith Trophy Semifinalist
3/3/2021 5:26:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Junior guard leads Cougars and ranks second in American Athletic Conference with 17.9 points per game
HOUSTON – University of Houston junior guard Quentin Grimes collected another honor when he was named one of 10 semifinalists for the Jersey Mike's Naismith Trophy for Player of the Year on Thursday. The award is given by the Atlanta Tipoff Club to the nation's top collegiate player.
Grimes joined guard Jared Butler (Baylor), guard Cade Cunningham (Oklahoma State), center Hunter Dickinson (Michigan), guard Ayo Dosunmu (Illinois), center Luka Garza (Iowa), forward/guard Herbert Jones (Alabama), forward Corey Kispert (Gonzaga), forward Evan Mobley (USC) and forward Drew Timme (Gonzaga) as semifinalists.
This is the latest honor for Grimes. He has been named one of five finalists for the Jerry West Award, presented to the nation's top shooting guard by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and was named to the John R. Wooden Award presented by Wendy's Late-Season Top 20 Watch List and the Lute Olson Award Mid-Season Watch List.
ABOUT QUENTIN GRIMES
In 2020-21, Grimes leads the Cougars and ranks second in the American Athletic Conference with 17.9 points per game and stands eighth in the league with 6.1 rebounds per contest.
He is one of only three student-athletes to rank among The American's Top-8 leaders in both scoring and rebounding.
This season, Grimes has been a leader for the Cougars, who have posted a 20-3 overall record and 13-3 mark in American Athletic Conference play. Houston has risen as high as No. 5 in both national polls, the Cougars' highest ranking since the 1983-84 season, and has spent 10 weeks among the Top 10.
Grimes has posted nine 20-point games, including a season-, career- and Fertitta Center-record 33 points in a win over WKU on Feb. 25.
He was named The American Player of the Week after averaging 16.5 points and 8.0 rebounds per game in wins over Tulsa and at Temple on Jan. 25 and earned the same honor on Monday after averaging 27.5 points per contest in wins over WKU and USF.
He has grabbed at least seven rebounds in 12 games and finished with 10 boards against Alcorn State, to go with his 27 points, for the first double-double of his career.
JERSEY MIKE'S NAISMITH TROPHY MIDSEASON TEAM for PLAYER of the YEAR
JOIN the 2021-22 SEASON-TICKET PRIORITY WAIT LIST
Houston Men's Basketball fans can join the season ticket priority wait list for the 2021-22 season inside the Fertitta Center with a $75 deposit today. To place a deposit for the 2021 season, click here or call 713-GO-COOGS (462-4667).
JOIN the 50-50-CLUB
Fans are invited to join the 50-50 Club to support Houston Men's Basketball. 50-50 Club members help fund program necessities and enhance the experience for our student-athletes.
Fans who join the 50-50 Club will receive embroidered Jordan Brand team apparel, invitations to exclusive events, regular updates about the program and much more.
For more information or to sign up, fans may visit uhcougars.com/5050club or click here. To join the 50-50 Club, fans may call Cougar Pride at 713-743-GoUH (46874).
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarMBK on Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at UHCougarMBK or by visiting the team's Instagram page at UHCougarMBK.
Grimes joined guard Jared Butler (Baylor), guard Cade Cunningham (Oklahoma State), center Hunter Dickinson (Michigan), guard Ayo Dosunmu (Illinois), center Luka Garza (Iowa), forward/guard Herbert Jones (Alabama), forward Corey Kispert (Gonzaga), forward Evan Mobley (USC) and forward Drew Timme (Gonzaga) as semifinalists.
This is the latest honor for Grimes. He has been named one of five finalists for the Jerry West Award, presented to the nation's top shooting guard by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and was named to the John R. Wooden Award presented by Wendy's Late-Season Top 20 Watch List and the Lute Olson Award Mid-Season Watch List.
ABOUT QUENTIN GRIMES
In 2020-21, Grimes leads the Cougars and ranks second in the American Athletic Conference with 17.9 points per game and stands eighth in the league with 6.1 rebounds per contest.
He is one of only three student-athletes to rank among The American's Top-8 leaders in both scoring and rebounding.
This season, Grimes has been a leader for the Cougars, who have posted a 20-3 overall record and 13-3 mark in American Athletic Conference play. Houston has risen as high as No. 5 in both national polls, the Cougars' highest ranking since the 1983-84 season, and has spent 10 weeks among the Top 10.
Grimes has posted nine 20-point games, including a season-, career- and Fertitta Center-record 33 points in a win over WKU on Feb. 25.
He was named The American Player of the Week after averaging 16.5 points and 8.0 rebounds per game in wins over Tulsa and at Temple on Jan. 25 and earned the same honor on Monday after averaging 27.5 points per contest in wins over WKU and USF.
He has grabbed at least seven rebounds in 12 games and finished with 10 boards against Alcorn State, to go with his 27 points, for the first double-double of his career.
JERSEY MIKE'S NAISMITH TROPHY MIDSEASON TEAM for PLAYER of the YEAR
| Player | Cl. | Pos. | School | Conference |
| Jared Butler | Jr. | G | Baylor | Big 12 |
| Cade Cunningham | Fr. | G | Oklahoma State | Big 12 |
| Hunter Dickinson | Fr. | C | Michigan | Big Ten |
| Ayo Dosunmu | Jr. | G | Illinois | Big Ten |
| Luka Garza | Sr. | C | Iowa | Big Ten |
| Quentin Grimes | Jr. | G | Houston | American Athletic |
| Herbert Jones | Sr. | F/G | Alabama | SEC |
| Corey Kispert | Sr. | F | Gonzaga | WCC |
| Evan Mobley | Fr. | F | USC | Pac-12 |
| Drew Timme | So. | F | Gonzaga | West Coast |
JOIN the 2021-22 SEASON-TICKET PRIORITY WAIT LIST
Houston Men's Basketball fans can join the season ticket priority wait list for the 2021-22 season inside the Fertitta Center with a $75 deposit today. To place a deposit for the 2021 season, click here or call 713-GO-COOGS (462-4667).
JOIN the 50-50-CLUB
Fans are invited to join the 50-50 Club to support Houston Men's Basketball. 50-50 Club members help fund program necessities and enhance the experience for our student-athletes.
Fans who join the 50-50 Club will receive embroidered Jordan Brand team apparel, invitations to exclusive events, regular updates about the program and much more.
For more information or to sign up, fans may visit uhcougars.com/5050club or click here. To join the 50-50 Club, fans may call Cougar Pride at 713-743-GoUH (46874).
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarMBK on Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at UHCougarMBK or by visiting the team's Instagram page at UHCougarMBK.
– UHCougars.com –
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