Sampson a Naismith Award Finalist

NORMAN, Okla. - Oklahoma's Kelvin Sampson is among 20 of the country's top collegiate men's basketball coaches who were named as finalists for the Naismith Award presented by Coca-Cola, the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced Wednesday.

The Naismith Award is the most prestigious national award presented annually to the men's and women's college basketball coaches of the year.

The top-20 list was compiled by the Atlanta Tipoff Club's Board of Selectors, comprised of leading basketball journalists, coaches and administrators from around the country. The board based its criteria on coaching performance this season.

"The Naismith Award is the preeminent honor in college basketball," said Gary Stokan, Atlanta Tipoff Club president. "Each of these coaches has left a lasting impact on the lives and careers of his players and is beyond worthy of taking home the Trophy in April."

The 20 coaches will go to the final ballot in March, when the Board will select the coach who has distinguished himself as the best collegiate coach in the nation. The coach of the year will be recognized at the Naismith Awards Banquet on April 8 in Atlanta.

Sampson has coached Oklahoma to a 22-6 record and an 11-4 Big 12 mark. The Sooners trail first-place Kansas by a half game heading into Wednesday night competition. OU, a winner of five straight, closes its regular season Saturday at Texas Tech. The 5 p.m. CST game will be televised by ESPN.

The finalists for the Naismith Award, listed in alphabetical order, are:

Rick Barnes, Texas
Jim Boeheim, Syracuse
Mark Few, Gonzaga
Ray Giacoletti, Utah
Billy Gillispie, Texas A&M
Frank Haith, Miami (Fla.)
Mike Krzyzewski, Duke
Lute Olson, Arizona
Rick Pitino, Louisville
Skip Prosser, Wake Forest
Lorenzo Romar, Washington
Bo Ryan, Wisconsin
Kelvin Sampson, Oklahoma
Bill Self, Kansas
Al Skinner, Boston College
Tubby Smith, Kentucky
Eddie Sutton, Oklahoma State
John Thompson III, Georgetown
Bruce Weber, Illinois
Roy Williams, North Carolina

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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