THE LOU HENSON AWARD

Jan. 16, 2025

PURDUE FORT WAYNE’S JALEN JACKSON EARNS MID-SEASON HONORS
The Fort Wayne, Indiana native is one of the top scorers in college basketball

BOSTON, MA -- Purdue Fort Wayne’s Jalen Jackson is the recipient of the Lou Henson award ‘Mid-Season’ honors. The award is presented annually to the top player in mid-major college basketball.

Jackson is averaging 19.7 points per game and is shooting nearly 60% percent in league play. He has scored in double figures in every game, including 20 or more eight times. He posted a career-high 31 points at Penn State on Nov. 20.

He ranks 6th in the nation in total points (393) and 5th in total field goals (138). He ranks 26th in the nation and first in the league in made free throws with 94.

The 6-foot-2 junior has helped the Mastodons begin the season 9-0 at home, the best undefeated home stretch to start a season in the program's NCAA Division I history. The 'Dons currently have the most overall wins in the Horizon League at 14.

“Jalen Jackson’s importance to the team extends well beyond the court,” said Angela Lento, Vice President of College Insider. “He's beloved by the community and his teammates alike. On the court Jalen is a two-way player. He’s an explosive scorer who gets to the free throw line and he can defend multiple positions on the other end of the floor. With Jackson leading the way, the Mastodons have a chance to punch their first-ever ticket to the NCAA Tournament.”
Jackson and the 'Dons are among the nation's leaders in several categories including fewest turnovers, assist/turnover ratio, made 3-point field goals, effective field goal percentage, turnovers forced, points per game, and fastbreak points.

The Lou Henson award honors the former Illinois and New Mexico State head coach who won 775 games in 41 seasons.

Coach Henson is the winningest coach in Illinois basketball history with 423 victories. During his 21 seasons (1975-1996), Henson led the Fighting Illini to 16 postseason appearances, including 12 NCAA tournaments and a Final Four appearance in 1989.

Henson, who is also the all-time winningest coach in New Mexico State history with 289 victories, is one of only 11 coaches to take two different schools to the NCAA Final Four. His teams have made 19 NCAA appearances and four NIT appearances.

Coach Henson passed away on July 25, 2020.

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, TX, site of the men’s Division I Basketball Championship.

 

NOTE: Portions of the release came from the Purdue Fort Wayne athletic website.

The Lou Henson National Player of the Year Award, which is presented annually to the top mid-major player in division I college basketball, honors the former Illinois and New Mexico State head coach who won 775 games in 41 seasons.
 
Henson is the winningest coach in Illinois basketball history with 423 victories. During his 21 seasons (1975-1996), Henson led the Fighting Illini to 16 postseason appearances, including 12 NCAA tournaments and a Final Four appearance in 1989.
 
Henson, who is also the all-time winningest coach in New Mexico State history with 289 victories, is one of only 11 coaches to take two different schools to the NCAA Final Four. His teams have made 19 NCAA appearances and four NIT appearances.
 
Players on teams from the following conferences are eligible for the award: America East, ASUN, Big Sky, Big South, Big West, Coastal Athletic, CUSA, Horizon, Independents, Ivy, Metro Atlantic, Mid-American, MEAC, Missouri Valley, Northeast, Ohio Valley, Patriot, Southern, Southland, SWAC, Summit, Sun Belt, WAC, West Coast.
 
The recipient of the 2023-24 award will be announced in April, in Phoenix, AZ site of the men's NCAA Basketball Championship.

The Lou Henson award is presented annually to the top division I mid-major player as voted on by the award committee.

Eligible players must in the following conferences or leagues: America East, Atlantic Sun, Big Sky, Big South, Big West, Colonial, Horizon, Independents, Ivy, Metro Atlantic, Mid-American, Mid-Eastern, Missouri Valley, Northeast, Ohio Valley, Patriot, Southern, Southland, Southwestern, Summit, Sun Belt, West Coast and Western Athletic.

The 10-member voting committee consists of current and former head coaches, as well as two senior staff members of collegeinsider.com.
 
The award is presented annually at the site of the men's Division I NCAA basketball championship. 
 
NOTE: The basis for mid-major designation is based on the criteria established by the Mid-Major Top 25 ® which was created by CollegeInsider.com and is a registered trademark.
 
 

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