Virginia attackman John Christmas has been added as one of three "Players to Watch" on the list for the second annual Tewaaraton Trophy, the most prestigious award in college lacrosse. Also added to the list were Matt Dunn of Middlebury and Tim McGuinness of Gettysburg College. Virginia attackman Conor Gill and defenseman Mark Koontz were on the initial list for the award.
Christmas, a freshman from Ardmore, Pa., was named All-ACC, the first freshman to be receiving this honor since Virginia's Michael Watson in 1994. He is tied for the ACC lead in scoring with 36 points on 23 goals - second in the ACC behind fellow Virginia freshman Joe Yevoli - and 13 assists.
The Tewaaraton Trophy will be presented June 5 in Washington, D.C.
Junior college standout Smith commits to Virginia
Devin Smith, a freshman at Coffeyville Community College in Kansas, has committed to the Virginia men's basketball program over Kansas and Iowa. He visited all three schools and was in Charlottesville earlier this week.
Smith, a 6-foot-5, 215-pound swingman from New Castle, Del., averaged 20 points and 6.5 rebounds this season for Coffeyville and led the Ravens to the finals of the NJCAA tournament. He shot 46 percent from three-point range and made 108 three-pointers. He was named a first-team NJCAA All-American
Smith led William Penn High to a state title in 2000-01 and was named Delaware state player of the year. However, he played center in high school and did not attract much attention from recruiters.
Since Smith was a full academic qualifier coming out of high school, he will be immediately eligible to play for the Cavaliers despite spending only one year at Coffeyville.
- Compiled by Chip Knighton