BOSTON, MA -- Oral Roberts’ Max Abmas is the recipient of the 2021 Lou Henson award. The 6-foot-1 sophomore led the nation in scoring, averaging 24.5 points per game and ranked third nationally with 4.0 made three-point field goals per contest. He scored 30 or more on seven occasions and was the only player in college basketball to score 40 or more points in a game twice, including a 42-point effort against Summit League regular-season champion South Dakota State on Feb. 13.
“Special players make it look easy and Max Abmas certainly makes it look effortless,” said Angela Lento Vice President of CollegeInsider.com. “He needs just a little daylight to beat you from beyond the arc and if you get out on him, he will beat you off the bounce. He’s a tireless worker who makes everyone around him better.”
The Summit League Player of the Year helped lead the Golden Eagles to their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2008. He scored 29 and 26 points respectively in wins over Ohio State and Florida, as Oral Roberts became just the second No. 15 seed to ever advance to the Sweet 16.
The Rockwall, TX native had a game-high 25 points in the regional semifinal loss to Arkansas.
The Lou Henson National Player of the Year Award, which is presented annually to the top mid-major player in division I college basketball, honors the former Illinois and New Mexico State head coach who won 775 games in 41 seasons. Henson is the winningest coach in Illinois basketball history with 423 victories.
During his 21 seasons (1975- 1996), Henson led the Fighting Illini to 16 postseason appearances, including 12 NCAA tournaments and a Final Four appearance in 1989. Henson, who is also the all-time winningest coach in New Mexico State history with 289 victories, is one of only 11 coaches to take two different schools to the NCAA Final Four.
His teams made 19 NCAA appearances and four NIT appearances. Players on teams from the following conferences are eligible for the award: America East, Atlantic Sun, Big Sky, Big South, Big West, Colonial, Horizon, Ivy, Metro Atlantic, Mid-American, Mid-Eastern, Missouri Valley, Northeast, Ohio Valley, Patriot, Southern, Southland, Southwestern, Summit, Sun Belt, West Coast.
Abmas and teammate Kevin Obanor were both named to the 2020-21 Lou Henson All-America Team that was released last week.
The last Summit League player to win the award was Oakland's Reggie Hamilton, who took home the inaugural honor following the 2009-10 season.
PREVIOUS AWARD WINNERS
2020: Nathan Knight, William & Mary
2019: Fletcher Magee, Wofford
2018: Clayton Custer, Loyola Chicago
2017; Justin Robinson, Monmouth
2016: Thomas Walkup, Stephen F. Austin
2015: Ty Greene, USC Upstate
2014: Langston Hall, Mercer
2013: Matthew Dellavedova, Saint Mary's
2012: Kyle O'Quinn, Norfolk State
2011: Matt Howard, Butler
2010: Keith Benson, Oakland
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