In a year of college basketball that has been dominated by a truly remarkable senior class, Buddy Hield and Denzel Valentine have shined just a bit brighter than the rest.
On Thursday, Michigan State’s Valentine was awarded AP Player of the Year honors alongside Kansas’ Bill Self, who won Coach of the Year. Valentine finished ahead of Hield in voting by just three votes. At his press conference in Houston following the announcement, Valentine told the media that Buddy Hield was the first player to reach out to him and provide support following his December knee surgery that sidelined him for two weeks.
Denzel Valentine says first player to reach out to him after his knee injury last Dec: Buddy Hield. #Sooners #Sparty
— Guerin Emig (@GuerinEmig) March 31, 2016
The two have been battling back and forth, and both were named unanimous First Team All-Americans earlier this week. And though they often provided remarkable performances, they played and carried themselves with tremendous class on the court.
It is nice to see the class and respect for each other to extend beyond the hardwood in a friendship that will only grow as they both take the next step to the NBA.
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*Featured Photo (above) credit to USA TODAY Sports
