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South Dakota State University Athletics
Photo by: Evan Patzwald
SDSU’S CLUFF NAMED LOU HENSON AWARD FINALIST
3/13/2025 10:45:00 AM | Men's Basketball
BOSTON, Mass. – South Dakota State men's basketball senior Oscar Cluff added to his numerous accolades during the season as he was selected as a finalist for the 2024-25 Lou Henson award. The honor, announced by CollegeInsider.com, is presented annually to the top men's player in mid-major college basketball.
Cluff put together one of the most memorable seasons in the SDSU men's program's history. The Australia native was chosen as The Summit League's Newcomer of the Year. He also was a First Team All-Summit League performer, as well as a selection for the conference's All-Defensive Team and All-Newcomer Team.
During the 2024-25 campaign, Cluff was one of 10 candidates for the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award, presented to men's basketball's Center of the Year. He also was tabbed The Summit Peak Performer of the Week five times, the conference's Male Peak Performer of the Month for November and the Male Peak Newcomer of the Month for January.
Cluff ended the season averaging 17.6 points, 12.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game across 30 appearances. He had a 63.4% clip from the field and was 77.8% at the free throw line. Cluff's rebounds per game mark ranks second in the nation and field goal percentage is 10th.
His 22 double-doubles produced tied a program and Summit League record for a single season set by former Jackrabbit Mike Daum during the 2018-19 slate. The double-double total is second in the country to Maxime Raynaud of Stanford who has recorded 23 on the season.
The Hou Henson award honors the former Illinois and New Mexico State head coach who won 775 games in 41 seasons.
South Dakota State has had multiple finalists for the Lou Henson Mid-Major Player of the Year award. The list includes Zeke Mayo (2024), Baylor Scheierman (2022), Douglas Wilson (2022), Mike Daum (2017, 2018, 2019) and Nate Wolters (2012 and 2013). Cluff is one of 35 players listed as finalists for the 2025 award.
The recipient of the annual award is determined by a 10-member voting committee, which consists of current and former head coaches, as well as two senior staff members of CollegeInsider.com.
The 2025 award will be announced in San Antonio, Texas, at the site of the Men's Division I Basketball Championship.
-GoJacks.com-
Cluff put together one of the most memorable seasons in the SDSU men's program's history. The Australia native was chosen as The Summit League's Newcomer of the Year. He also was a First Team All-Summit League performer, as well as a selection for the conference's All-Defensive Team and All-Newcomer Team.
During the 2024-25 campaign, Cluff was one of 10 candidates for the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award, presented to men's basketball's Center of the Year. He also was tabbed The Summit Peak Performer of the Week five times, the conference's Male Peak Performer of the Month for November and the Male Peak Newcomer of the Month for January.
Cluff ended the season averaging 17.6 points, 12.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game across 30 appearances. He had a 63.4% clip from the field and was 77.8% at the free throw line. Cluff's rebounds per game mark ranks second in the nation and field goal percentage is 10th.
His 22 double-doubles produced tied a program and Summit League record for a single season set by former Jackrabbit Mike Daum during the 2018-19 slate. The double-double total is second in the country to Maxime Raynaud of Stanford who has recorded 23 on the season.
The Hou Henson award honors the former Illinois and New Mexico State head coach who won 775 games in 41 seasons.
South Dakota State has had multiple finalists for the Lou Henson Mid-Major Player of the Year award. The list includes Zeke Mayo (2024), Baylor Scheierman (2022), Douglas Wilson (2022), Mike Daum (2017, 2018, 2019) and Nate Wolters (2012 and 2013). Cluff is one of 35 players listed as finalists for the 2025 award.
The recipient of the annual award is determined by a 10-member voting committee, which consists of current and former head coaches, as well as two senior staff members of CollegeInsider.com.
The 2025 award will be announced in San Antonio, Texas, at the site of the Men's Division I Basketball Championship.
-GoJacks.com-
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