The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Men's Basketball Honors 2004-05 Season
4/19/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
April 19, 2005
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The UAB men's basketball team honors were handed out Tuesday night at the annual team awards banquet hosted by head coach Mike Anderson. Senior guard Donell Taylor garnered team MVP honors while junior guard Carldell "Squeaky" Johnson was named Defensive Player of the Year and Marques Lewis and Ernest Little shared Most Improved Player honors.
Anderson handed out the three highest awards after addressing the crowd with compliments on the 2004-05 team which recorded a 22-11 overall record and reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament. This year's Blazers made the program's second straight NCAA Tournament and third straight postseason appearance. Anderson's club also recorded 20 or more wins for the third straight year, all under his guidance. UAB also became the first team to ever lead the NCAA in steals for three straight years.
While Anderson congratulated the team with their accomplishments, he looked ahead to 2005-06 saying, "The best is yet to come." He also reiterated his original goal when he came to UAB in 2002 by reminding everyone, "My goal is to win a national championship."
In addition to the three awards given by Anderson, other awards given included:
Carlos Williams Award (dedication and attitude): Marvett McDonald
Academic Award: Derrick Broom
Weight Room Warrior Award: Derrick Broom and Donell Taylor
Sportsmanship Award: Brandon Tobias
Team's Leading Scorer Award: Donell Taylor
Ironman Award (Minutes Played): Squeaky Johnson and Demario Eddins
Best Free Throw Percentage: Donell Taylor
Sixth Man Award: Ronell Taylor
Assist Leader: Squeaky Johnson
Chairman of the Boards (rebounding): Demario Eddins
Blazer Award (taking the most charges): Squeaky Johnson
Anderson also honored the three seniors on the 2004-05 Blazers, thanking Marques Lewis, Donell and Ronell Taylor for their contributions to the UAB men's basketball program.
