April 4, 2017

2017 KYLE MACY AWARD 

PHOENIX, AZ -- Creighton's Justin Patton is the recipient of the 2017 Kyle Macy award, which is presented annually to the nation’s top freshman

The Big East Freshman of the Year led Creighton in rebounds (6.2) and blocked shots (1.4) per game and was second on the team in points (12.9) per game. The second-team All-Big East selection also ranked second in the nation in field goal percentage (.676).

“Justin Patton had a phenomenal freshman campaign,” said CollegeInsider.com’s Angela Lento. “There were other freshman that had bigger numbers, but Justin’s presence on the floor helped Creighton to a history-making season.”

The native of Omaha, Neb. scored in double figures in 28 games this season, including four games with 20-plus. He was part of record-setting Creighton team, which established school records for points (2,864) and field goals (1.078) in a season.

The 1975 Indiana "Mr. Basketball" played his freshman season at Purdue University, averaging 13.8 points per game while leading the Boilermakers in free throws (85.9 percent for the season). He started in 25 of 27 games, helping them to a 16-11 season record.

After playing his freshman year at Purdue, Macy transferred to the University of Kentucky in 1976. He started every game for the Wildcats in 1977. A three-time All-America and three-time All-SEC player, Macy was a member of Kentucky's 1978 National Championship team. In his senior year of 1979-80, he became the first Kentucky player ever to be named consensus Southeastern Conference Player of the Year.

2017 KYLE MACY FRESHMEN ALL-AMERICA TEAM

NOTE: Due a tie in the voting there is one additional player on the Kyle Macy Freshman All-America Team.