Arizona's Gardner, Walton lead finalists for Naismith Award

ATLANTA -- Seniors Jason Gardner and Luke Walton of top-ranked Arizona were among 20 finalists named for the 2002-03 Naismith Award. The award is given annually to the top collegiate player in the country.

Kirk Hinrich and Nick Collison, teammates from sixth-ranked Kansas, were also on the list, which was released Wednesday.

Mississippi State's Mario Austin, Kentucky's Keith Bogans, Florida's Matt Bonner, Illinois' Brian Cook, Duke's Chris Duhon, Texas' T.J. Ford, Louisville's Reece Gaines, Georgia's Jarvis Hayes, Wake Forest's Josh Howard, Pittsburgh's Brandin Knight, Creighton's Kyle Korver, Oklahoma's Hollis Price, Georgetown's Mike Sweetney, Notre Dame's Chris Thomas, Marquette's Dwyane Wade, and Xavier's David West were also on the list of finalists.

The award will be presented in Atlanta on April 11, 2003.

Duke's Jay Williams won the award last season.