Williams wins Wooden Award as player of year

LOS ANGELES (AP) _ Duke's Jason Williams had a trophy to take home from the John R. Wooden Award ceremony this year. <br><br>Williams was runner-up to teammate Shane Battier in last year's voting

Monday, April 8th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

LOS ANGELES (AP) _ Duke's Jason Williams had a trophy to take home from the John R. Wooden Award ceremony this year.

Williams was runner-up to teammate Shane Battier in last year's voting for the award given to the male college player of the year.

With his parents looking on Sunday at the Los Angeles Athletic Club, Williams accepted the trophy from Wooden. His mother dabbed tears from her eyes as her son received a standing ovation.

``Wow. This is a great award,'' Williams said. ``This one just tops them all. Coach Wooden represents everything I've always stood for _ pride, integrity and trust.''

Williams received 5,223 points in voting by a national panel of sports writers and sportscasters. Drew Gooden of Kansas was second with 4,323.

Williams graduates in May with a sociology degree in just three years. He is the third Duke player in four years to win. Battier won last year, and Elton Brand won in 1999.

``We have to keep it up next year,'' Brand said after Sunday night's Los Angeles Clippers game.

Williams led the Atlantic Coast Conference with 21.3 points a game. But he didn't have a national championship to savor for the second consecutive year.

Duke lost to Indiana 74-73 in the regional semifinals of the NCAA tournament when Williams missed a free throw that would have tied the game.

``Everybody's been saying, `I'm sorry you missed that shot against Indiana,' but I've had a great career,'' said Williams, also selected as The Associated Press player of the year.

Juan Dixon of national champion Maryland was third with 3,845; Cincinnati's Steve Logan was fourth at 2,887; and Gonzaga's Dan Dickau was one vote behind in fifth.

Williams singled out Dixon in his acceptance speech.

``Playing against Juan for three years has been a great thing for me,'' he said.

Williams was accompanied by Duke assistant Johnny Dawkins, filling in for coach Mike Krzyzewski, who is recovering from hip surgery.

Former Louisville coach Denny Crum also attended to receive the fourth Legends of Coaching award. Crum played and coached under Wooden at UCLA.

``Legends, I think it means I'm getting old,'' Crum said. ``To receive this from Coach is an honor.''