Gorgui Dieng Named Big East Defensive Player Of The Year

A year after many thought he was robbed of the honor, Gorgui Dieng has been named Big East Defensive Player of the Year.

Dieng, who was beaten out for the award last season by Syracuse's Fab Melo, is the first Louisville player to earn the honor from the Big East.

Dieng, a 6-11 center from Kebemer, Senegal, was the force in the paint who helped Louisville tie for the BIG EAST regular-season title. Dieng, a 6-11 junior, averaged 10.3 points, 10.1 rebounds and 2.6 blocked shots in all games. In BIG EAST play, he was the league rebounding champion with a 10.8 average and was second in blocked shots with an average of 2.8.

The league also announced on Monday that Kadeem Batts of Providence and Michael Carter-Williams of Syracuse are co-winners of the Big East Most Improved Player Award. Marquette junior forward Davante Gardner has won the Sixth Man Award, while teammate Junior Cadougan was named the winner of the Sportsmanship Award.

In addition to this honor, Gorgui was also named the Big East Player of the Week on Sunday, as well as the national Player of the Week by ESPN.

Statue.