Auburn Basketball 2016 Awards Banquet Recap

For the second year in a row I got the pleasure of attending the Auburn Basketball awards banquet. The event is a fun night of thank you’s and awards for players and staff. Despite the disappointing season that was acknowledged several times by the coaches, many players were rightfully honored for their accomplishments on and off the court this season.

The banquet highlighted the fact that despite the many losses, this season was the first time sine 1968 that Auburn has defeated Kentucky, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, and Arkansas in the same season. The highlight video that recapped the season really had me wishing the next 215 days would fly by and we could tip off another season of Auburn basketball.

To start things off, each class of players was recognized including Trayvon Reed, Danjel Purifoy and each of the walk-ons. Unfortunately, Tyler Harris was San Antonio preparing for the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, the same professional prospect camp that KT Harrell played in last season in his quest to the next level. While he wasn’t able to be here to receive his awards, the always classy graduate transfer had some kind words once again for the Auburn fans.

One of my favorite parts of the event is seeing the comical side of Bruce Pearl and the rest of the program. Pearl is quick to makes jokes about himself and the team and definitely wasn’t hesitant to talk about how excited he is for the great things coming in the coming years. Without a tribute the the White Caboose this season we were treated to a lovely dance video featuring most of the team. It’s probably best that that video won’t reach many other eyes but Horace Spencer and New Williams once again showed off some impressive dance moves while draped in feather boas.

In the midst of all the player awards, Chuck Person was actually awarded his Bachelor’s degree in sports science from the United States Sports Academy. Person gave a great speech on how he truly loves Auburn but has always felt like he failed in the most important area, getting his degree. He made it clear to the current players and the rest in attendance that he believes his degree is the biggest accomplishment so far in life over all of his accolades as a college and professional basketball player and coach.

As far as awards went:

Horace Spencer was presented the Most Improved Player Award and the Outstanding Defensive Player Award.

Cole Stockton was presented the Bill Lynn Academic Award.

Bryce Brown was presented the Sixth Man Award and the John Mengelt Free Throw Award.

Trayvon Reed was presented the Coaches’ Award for his work off the court this season as he’s fixed his personal issues and spent a lot of time in the weigh room to add almost 50 pounds to his 7’2″ frame.

Cinmeon Bowers was presented the Iron Tiger Award for his work in the offseason to shed all of his weight and put on muscle that allowed him to average nearly a double-double this season.

T.J. Dunans was presented the Mike Mitchell Courage Award.

Jordon Granger was presented the Sonny Smith Most Outstanding Teammate Award.

At the very end, Tyler Harris took home the most prestigious Paul Lambert/Tommy Joe Eagles Memorial Trophy.

Each of these guys was well deserving of their awards and it was really good to see Horace Spencer, Cinmeon Bowers and Trayvon Reed acknowledged for their work off the court. This banquet got me sad that basketball season is over for quite awhile, but I’m certainly looking forward to what these young guys and the new players coming in can do in the next few seasons.