April 15, 2004

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Maryland men's basketball team welcomed more than 700 family members, friends and fans to its 2003-04 Honors Banquet held on Thursday evening at Comcast Center. Top accolades were shared by senior Jamar Smith and sophomore John Gilchrist, who were named the Terrapins' Co-Players of the Year.

Maryland's Player of the Year Award is presented to the player or players who are determined to make the greatest contributions to the team, combining natural talents with tireless work ethic, tremendous heart, and the desire to achieve. It was given to Smith and Gilchrist, who formed Maryland's dynamic inside-outside tandem for much of the season. Both players were forced to step into new roles for the 2004 Terrapins, and both excelled. Each increased their scoring average by more than 7.0 points per game from last season. Both players put forth tremendous efforts in helping Maryland to its first ACC Tournament title in 20 years. Gilchrist averaged 19.4 points and 6.3 assists per game and was the tournament's Most Valuable Player, and Smith averaged 17.8 points and 8.0 rebounds, and was an All-Tournament first team member.

The Terps' Most Assists Award is presented annually to the Terrapins' most proficient passer. The 2004 award was presented to Gilchrist, who became the first floor general to lead the Terps in scoring and assists since John Lucas in 1974. He finished fifth in the ACC in assists, totaling 159 for the season, and with 13 games of six assists or more. Further, he averaged 6.3 assists per game during an incredible three-game stretch in the ACC Tournament.

The Charles "Buck" Williams/Len Elmore Award is presented to the Terrapin whose dedication to team success is displayed by his commitment to rebounding. Smith was honored with this year's award, after averaging 8.8 rebounds per game, finishing the season ranked second in the ACC. He recorded 15 games of double-figure rebounding, and totaled 11 double-doubles - one shy of Maryland's single-season record. He posted a career-high 14 rebounds twice this season, and grabbed 12 boards in the ACC title game against Duke.

The WBAL Academic Award is presented to the Terrapin with the most outstanding grade point average, and for the second straight season, it was given to junior communications major Mike Grinnon. During the ACC championship game against Duke, he came off the bench to suffocate the Blue Devils' J.J. Redick and helped seal Maryland's victory by making a pair of high-pressure free throws in overtime. Grinnon is the only player in Maryland history to have won the ACC Tournament title and NCAA Championship.

The Chevy Chase Clutch Performance of the Year Award is presented to the Terrapin whose undeniably superlative effort in a game lifted Maryland to victory against great odds. In Maryland's road victory at No. 1 Florida, sophomore Nik Caner-Medley totaled a game-high 22 points and 13 rebounds to boost the Terps to a much needed victory - the Terps' ninth in school history over a No. 1 ranked team - which came on the heels of back-to-back losses. Caner-Medley's stalwart six-point effort in overtime kept the Terrapins in the game, and allowed Maryland to be in the position to set up the last shot to win the contest.

The Mr. Hustle Award, sponsored by the Fastbreakers, is presented to the Terrapin who shows tremendous and relentless effort in all things, including at practice, in games - for the full 40 minutes in all aspects of his life. This year's award goes to junior Darien Henry, who has been a model of consistency and solid effort in three seasons' worth of practices. Henry played in nine games this year, including three ACC contests, and made 50 percent of his field goal attempts. Late in the season, he was recognized in Sports Illustrated's "Faces in the Crowd" as one of college basketball's top walk-ons.

The Unsung Hero Award is presented to the Terrapin who makes great contributions to the team without receiving a tremendous amount of statistical praise or recognition. The 2004 award was given to sophomore Travis Garrison who contributed as a starter, then as a reserve, and a starter again this season. He was the Terps' second-leading rebounder, and fifth-leading scorer, whose increased aggressiveness and solid play down the stretch helped the Terps complete their late-season run of success. Garrison hit the game-winning shot against No. 1 Florida that lifted the Terps to the overtime victory against the Gators. He was a second-team All-ACC Tournament selection, averaging 13 points and 6.3 rebounds during Maryland's conference tourney weekend, including a game-high tying 16 points against third-seeded Wake Forest in the conference quarterfinals.

The award for the Outstanding Free Throw Shooter is presented to the Terrapin who has shown the most proficiency from the charity stripe during the 2002-03 season. This year's award went to sophomore Chris McCray, who finished fifth in the ACC with an .822 (97-118) percentage. In the postseason he was even more proficient, going 24-of-26 from the line - .92 percent. McCray was perfect from the line in eight games this season, including four flawless postseason efforts, and made a career-best 6-for-6 vs. Duke in the ACC title game.

The 6th man award is presented to a Terrapin who has made great contributions to the team in a reserve role. The 2004 award went to a freshman D.J. Strawberry, whose energy and enthusiasm was vital to the Terps. Strawberry was an honorable mention All-ACC Freshman, and was named the ACC Rookie of the Week after his solid reserve point guard play at No. 1 Florida. One of the ACC's toughest defenders, he played in 31 games this season, and ranked eighth in the league with a 1.6 steals per game average.

The Morgan Wootten Lifetime Achievement Award is a named after America's all-time winningest high school coach and a Maryland grad from the Class of 1956, Morgan Wootten. Wootten's lifetime coaching record in 46 seasons at DeMatha Catholic High School was 1,274-192 (.869). Career accolades include: