Ohio State’s Evan Turner is selected AP’s college basketball Player of the Year

Ohio State’s Turner is AP’s Player of the Year

INDIANAPOLIS — Ohio State junior swingman Evan Turner is the runaway choice as The Associated Press’ college basketball player of the year.

The 6-foot-7 Turner, who averaged 20.3 points, 9.2 rebounds and 5.9 assists, received 54 votes from the 65-member national media panel.

Turner missed six games after breaking bones in his back when he fell after a dunk in December. The Buckeyes went .500 without him and then went on to the Big Ten title after he returned.

He is the first Ohio State player to win the award since Gary Bradds in 1964. Jerry Lucas of the Buckeyes won it in 1961 and 1962.

Kentucky freshman John Wall received nine votes, while Da’Sean Butler of West Virginia and Luke Harangody of Notre Dame each got one.