WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (TribeAthletics.com) – Prior to this season, William & Mary student-athletes had garnered five national players of the year in school history, a significant and remarkable number. Making this week even more impressive as senior Nathan Knight took home his second National Mid-Major Player of the Year honor in as many days.
After taking home the Lou Henson Award presented by CollegeInsider.com on Wednesday, the 6-10 center was named Basketball Times Mid-Major Player of the Year in the publications most recent April edition. Additionally, Knight was named to the Mid-Atlantic All-District Team in Basketball Times' Honors List. Players from outside the ACC, American, Atlantic-10, Big East, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12, Mountain West, SEC, BYU, Gonzaga and Saint Mary's were considered for Basketball Times mid-major honors.
The national players of the year add to an impressive list during Knight's historic campaign. He became just the second player in league history to be named both the CAA Player and Defensive Player of the Year. Nationally, Knight was selected as one of five finalists for the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year Award for the second-straight season. He was selected as one of 10 finalists for the Senior CLASS Award, which recognizes excellence in community, classroom, character and competition.
Earlier this season, Knight was named to the watch list for the USBWA Oscar Robertson Trophy in December and the midseason list for the 2020 Citizen Naismith Trophy Men's Player of the Year presented by the Atlanta Tipoff Club in February.
Statically, Knight led the country in player efficiency rating (35.0) while ranking second in double-doubles (23). He was also among the top 20 nationally in a number of categories, including win shares (10th at 6.3), rebounding (16th at 10.5) and scoring (19th at 20.7). According to KenPom.com, Knight was seventh in the country in offensive rating, for players with a 28% usage rate, at 114.0.
Knight became just the fourth player in CAA history and first since 1989 to average 20 points and 10 rebounds per game. He is one of only two players nationally this season with those averages. Knight is the first Tribe player to average 20 points and 10 rebounds since Bob Sherwood in 1968. He will also graduate from W&M tied for the most CAA wins (44) in program history.
Knight led the Tribe to a 21-11 record and the second seed in the CAA Championship as a senior. The 21 wins were the most in the regular season for a Tribe team since 1950, and the 2019-20 squad equaled school records with 13 CAA wins and 10 road victories.
