March 25, 2011
PITTSBURGH - Duquesne senior Damian Saunders (Waterbury, Conn./Notre Dame Prep) was one of 21 players named to the CollegeInsider.com 2011 Lefty Driesell Defensive All-America team announced today.
Saunders, the only player in NCAA history with over 250 assists (281), blocks (300) and steals (277), is a two-time Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year (2010 & 2011).
The 6-7 Waterbury, Conn. native finished his career as Duquesne's all-time leader in blocks, steals, games played (127), games started (116) and dunks (166). His 1,511 points ranked 11th and his 1,019 rebounds were third-best on DU's all-time lists.
Saunders joined UMass' Stephane Lasme (2006 & 2007), Richmond's Tony Dobbins (2003 & 2004) and Temple's Pepe Sanchez (1998 & 2000) as the only two-time Atlantic 10 Defensive Players of the Year when he won the award for a second time this season. Saunders became the first player in Duquesne history to earn conference Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2010. Saunders ranks in the top 10 on A-10 lists for career blocks (8th), steals (9th) and rebounds (9th).
Saunders had 84 blocks and 72 steals while averaging 7.9 rebounds per game in helping the Dukes to a 19-13 record and tied for fourth place Atlantic 10 finish in 2011.
The award is named in honor of coaching legend Lefty Driesell, who is the only person to ever win 100 games at four different Division I schools. He is best known for his time at Maryland, leading the program to the National Invitational Tournament title in 1972 and its second-ever ACC Tournament Championship in 1984.
The 2011 Lefty Driesell Defensive Player of the Year will be announced at the CollegeInsider.com awards banquet on April 1 in Houston, site of the men's basketball championship.
COLLEGEINSIDER.COM 2011 LEFTY DRIESELL DEFENSIVE ALL-AMERICA TEAM
Dogus Balbay, Texas
Keith Benson, Oakland
Kent Bazemore, Old Dominion
Norris Cole, Cleveland State
Aaron Craft, Ohio State
Kenneth Faried, Morehead State
John Flowers, West Virginia
Tu Holloway, Xavier
JuJuan Johnson, Purdue
DeAndre Liggins, Kentucky
Sam Muldrow, South Carolina
Ronald Nored, Butler
Damian Saunders, Duquesne
Chris Singleton, Florida State
Nolan Smith Duke
Demontez Stitt, Clemson
Iman Shumpert, Georgia Tech
Jeffery Taylor, Vanderbilt
Malcolm Thomas San Diego State
Brad Wanamaker, Pittsburgh
Casper Ware, Long Beach State
