BOSTON, Mass. – Northern Kentucky freshman Sam Vinson has been named a Kyle Macy Freshman All-American and a finalist for the Kyle Macy Award.
Named for Kyle Macy, who starred as a Purdue freshman before playing an illustrious career at Kentucky, the prestigious award is presented annually to the top freshman in Division I college basketball. This year's winner will be announced April 1.
NKU's Marques Warrick last year was a Kyle Macy Freshman All-American and award finalist.
Vinson, a 6-foot-5 guard from Fort Thomas, Ky., is coming off a record-setting campaign in which he was named the Horizon League Freshman of the Year. He set a freshman league record with 66 steals and finished the season ranked 12th nationally in total steals and 31st in steals per game (2.1).
The seven-time Horizon League Freshman of the Week averaged 11.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.1 steals while starting all 32 games. He scored in double figures 19 times, including three 20-point performances, and contributed a career-high 24 points at UIC on Jan. 20.
2021-22 KYLE MACY FRESHMAN ALL-AMERICA TEAM
Taran Armstrong, California Baptist
Zach Austin, High Point
Paolo Banchero, Duke
Malaki Branham, Ohio State
Paul Bruns, North Dakota
Kennedy Chandler, Tennesee
Jyare Davis, Delaware
Tyson Degenhart, Boise State
Tucker DeVries, Drake
Jalen Duren, Memphis
Jordan Gainey, USC Upstate
A.J. Griffin, Duke
Elijah Hawkins, Howard
Tyrese Hunter, Iowa State
Jao Ituka, Marist
Denver Jones, FIU
Kino Lilly Jr., Brown
Frances Nwaokorie, UC San Diego
Jabari Smith, Auburn
Reyne Smith, Charleston
Payton Sparks, Ball State
Ray'Sean Taylor, SIU Edwardsville
Fousseni Traore, BYU
Sam Vinson, Northern Kentucky
TyTy Washington, Kentucky
#NorseUp
