Completed Event: Men's Basketball at #23 Creighton (Exhibition) on October 17, 2025 , Loss , 58, to, 71
Final
Men's Basketball
58
#23 Creighton (Exhibition)
71
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Iowa State University Athletics
Tyray Pearson Wins Most Valuable Player Award at Iowa State Men's Basketball Banquet
04.06.2002 | Men's Basketball
AMES, Iowa - Senior Tyray Pearson, who was a second-team all-Big 12 selection by the league's coaches and The Associated Press, received the Ralph A. Olsen Most Valuable Player Award at the 2001-02 Iowa State men's basketball banquet tonight. Pearson, who was ISU's only Big 12 Player of the Week recipient during the season, was one of the best post players in the Big 12 Conference, ranking fourth in the league in scoring (18.7 ppg) and eighth in rebounding (7.8 rpg).
A native of Hammond, Ind., the center scored over 20 points 18 times during the season, helping him earn USBWA all-District VI honors. Pearson, who also earned the Louis Menze Award as ISU's outstanding senior and the outstanding rebounder award, became only the 13th player in school history to score over 30 points twice against a league opponent (Oklahoma State-30; Nebraska-32). His 580 points and 209 field goals made this season rank 15th and 18th, respectively, on the ISU single-season charts.
Sophomore Jake Sullivan, who was a third-team all-Big 12 selection and a Verizon District VII Academic All-America pick, won the Free-Throw and 3-Point Awards, raising the bar for all future Cyclones in both categories this season. The Oakdale, Minn., native became the most efficient single-season free-throw and 3-point shooter in school history this season, breaking the school mark and ranking in the top 10 nationally in both categories. Sullivan shot 90.0 percent (117-130) from the foul line, ranking fourth nationally, and made 47.2 percent (60-127) of his attempts from 3-point range, ranking fifth in the nation.
Shane Power, a sophomore from Crown Point, Ind., won the Outstanding Defensive Player Award. Power was one of ISU's most versatile players in 2001-02, averaging 13.6 ppg and 4.5 rpg. Power, who tied for second on the ISU single-season complete games played list with 11, led the Cyclones in steals (37) and tallied 12 blocks. He was an honorable mention all-Big 12 honoree.
The Most Improved Player Award went to junior Omar Bynum, who averaged 7.2 ppg and 6.7 rpg. By season's end, the Omaha, Neb., native was one of ISU's most dependable players, averaging 12.6 ppg in the last seven games and making 36 of his last 51 shots (70.5 percent) from the field.
ISU freshmen Jared Homan and Ricky Morgan were honored at the banquet, winning the Mr. Hustle Award and the Most Assists Award, respectively. Homan, who hails from Remsen, Iowa, led the Cyclones in blocked shots (40), breaking the ISU rookie record and ranking sixth on the Big 12 freshman chart for blocks. A native of Pontiac, Mich., Morgan dished out a team-high 91 assists on the year, tying for third on the ISU freshman assist chart. Homan and Morgan combined for 20 starts in their rookie seasons.
Junior Brandon Nicol was the recipient of the Brian Pearson Inspirational Award. Nicol, who wears No. 3 in honor of the late Pearson, is in his third season as a walk-on for ISU. The Greattinger, Iowa, native played in 12 games during the season and his leadership and loyalty on the ISU scout team have been instrumental to the Cyclones' success.
All of these Cyclones received the ISU Academic Award: Brad Davis, Justin Fries, Brian Gahan, Jared Homan, Brandon Nicol, Andrew Skoglund and Jake Sullivan.
2001-02 Iowa State Men's Basketball Banquet Award Winners
Ralph A. Olsen Most Valuable Player Award: Tyray Pearson
Louis Menze Award: Tyray Pearson
Brian Pearson Inspiration Award: Brandon Nicol
Most Improved Player Award: Omar Bynum
Outstanding Defensive Player Award: Shane Power
Outstanding Rebounder Award: Tyray Pearson
3-Point Award: Jake Sullivan
Most Assists Award: Ricky Morgan
Mr. Hustle Award: Jared Homan
Free-Throw Award: Jake Sullivan
Academic Awards: Brad Davis, Justin Fries, Brian Gahan, Jared Homan, Brandon Nicol, Shane Power, Andrew Skoglund and Jake Sullivan
Players Mentioned
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