NEW YORK – St. John’s junior Justin Simon has been named BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year. DePaul sophomore Paul Reed has been selected BIG EAST Most Improved Player. Butler senior guard Paul Jorgensen has been tabbed for the BIG EAST Sixth Man of the Year Award. Jorgensen’s teammate, center Nate Fowler, has been recognized to receive the BIG EAST Sportsmanship Award.
The league’s head coaches choose the award winners and they are not permitted to vote for their own players.
The BIG EAST will announce the remaining individual awards: Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, Freshman of the Year and outstanding Men’s Basketball Scholar-Athlete at a press conference at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday, March 13, at 4:30 p.