Otto Porter Jr. Named Big East Player of the Year

In news deemed the least surprising of the year, Otto Porter Jr. was today named the Big East Player of the Year, in an unanimous vote by conference coaches. There is not much to say about Otto that is already not known. He is the epitome of a John Thompson III player. He is sublimely talented*, versatile, and lethal on the court yet humble, respectful, and soft-spoken off of it. He won't celebrate after a big shot because he is more concerned about stealing the ball on the ensuing inbound. Otto is a rare type of player than elicits only admiration, praise, and envy from opposing coaches, players, and fans. He ended the regular season averaging 16.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, and only 1.5 turnovers a game. He shot 50.2% from the field, 77.4% from the line, and 44% from three. He finished ranked in the top ten in the conference in points, rebounds, steals, field goal percentage, three point percentage, and minutes played.

As this is the last year of the Big East as we know it, this award is also important because it leaves Georgetown atop the conference in the number of Big East Player of the Year trophies awarded to its players since inception. Otto joins a long-list of Georgetown greats, including John Duren, Patrick Ewing (twice a winner), Reggie Williams, Charles E. Smith, Alonzo Mourning, and Jeff Green, giving the school a total of eight awards. Connecticut finishes second with seven, and Notre Dame third with five.

Congrats to Otto, his family, his AAU coach, his teammates, and Coach Thompson and the staff.

* Absolutely stole that phrase from Tarik El-Bashir.