May 1, 2006

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - University of Memphis senior Rodney Carney has been named the 2005-06 Tennessee Sports Writers Association (TSWA) Player of the Year, the organization announced Monday. The honors were voted on by media members and media relations directors from across the state of Tennessee.

Sophomore Darius Washington Jr. and freshman Shawne Williams joined Carney on the TSWA All-State Team. East Tennessee State's Tim Smith and Tennessee's Chris Lofton rounded out the all-state squad.

A consensus All-America second team pick, Carney was selected the Conference USA Player of the Year and was named to the Conference USA All-Tournament and All-Conference USA first teams. The 6-foot-7 forward was a finalist for three national Player of the Year honors (Naismith Award, Oscar Robertson Trophy, Adolph F. Rupp Trophy) and was on the Wooden Award mid-season list. The Indianapolis, Ind., native, who participated in the College Basketball Slam Dunk Championships at the 2006 NCAA Final Four, led the Tigers in scoring (17.2 ppg) and three-point field goal percentage (39.1) this past season.

Carney moved into the No. 3 spot on the Memphis career scoring list with 1,901 points (trailing only Keith Lee and Elliot Perry) and set the school's career three-pointers made record with 287 treys. He also set the school's single-season three-pointers made mark with 102 in 2005-06. Carney finished his career ranked among Conference USA career leaders in scoring (No. 4) and three-pointers made (No. 3).

Washington, a 2005-06 Associated Press All-America honorable mention pick, was named to the NCAA Tournament All-Regional (Oakland) squad and All-Conference USA first team. One of 16 finalists for the 2006 Bob Cousy Award, the 6-foot-2 guard was a Wooden Award and Naismith Award preseason candidate. The Winter Park, Fla., native was second on team in scoring (13.4 ppg), assists (110) and free throw percentage (78.3). This past season, Washington became the 41st player in Memphis basketball history to reach the 1,000-point milestone. He has 1,054 career points and is No. 34 on the Tiger all-time scoring chart.

A consensus national Freshman All-America Team pick, Williams was named the Conference USA Freshman of the Year and was an All-Conference USA third team selection. The 6-foot-9 forward, who earned the Conference USA Tournament MVP award, was the team's third-leading scorer (13.2 ppg) and second-leading rebounder (6.2 rpg) and shot a team-high 78.6 percent from the free throw line. The Memphis, Tenn., native posted five double-doubles in 2005-06, including performances in wins over Gonzaga (14 pts/11 rebs) and Tennessee (21 pts/14 rebs).