If any doubt remained that the 2010-11 school year will be remembered most in college athletics for the rise of BYU's Jimmer Fredette, Wednesday night's ESPY Awards likely erased it for good.
Fredette won the award for the nation's best male college athlete. Ahead of Kemba Walker, who propelled youthful UConn's memorable postseason run that included a Big East tournament title and the national championship. And ahead of Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton, who swept every major college football award and led Auburn to an undefeated season and a BCS title.
It's a testament to Fredette's cultural impact that the Sacramento Kings first-rounder won the award considering his BYU team reached only the Sweet 16 before falling to Florida.
Each long-range 3-pointer or 40-point scoring barrage drew more attention to Fredette, elevating him from all-conference guard, to national player of the year favorite, to crossover star in a matter of months. Fans created� YouTube tribute songs for him, Lil Wayne recently shouted him out in a new track and he often had to hide his face behind dark shades or a hoodie in Provo if he wanted to go out to dinner without being hounded by autograph seekers.
Fredette was humble and gracious as usual about his ESPY, thanking his family along with residents of his hometown of Glens Falls, N.Y. He later tweeted, "Thanks everyone who voted for me for the espy. It was a crazy night to be there with such greatness. Congrats to all the other nominees."
Was Walker bitter to be beaten out by Fredette? Hardly. The two have become friends after spending so much time together during draft workouts and on the awards circuit.
Tweeted Walker, "I didn't win. But still honored to be a nominee. Congrats to my boy @jimmerfredette. Much respect."
Other college basketball award winners at the ESPYs: VCU won best upset for defeating top-seeded Kansas on its way to the Final Four ... UConn's Maya Moore won best female college athlete ... Stanford women's athletics and Florida men's athletics won the Capital One Cup, which recognizes excellence in collegiate athletics.
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