Iowa's Eric May earns Chris Street Award

CORALVILLE -- Eric May earned the award that embodies more than just jumpers and high-flying dunks. And that suited the Iowa senior just fine on Thursday night.

May, a Dubuque native, picked up The Chris Street Award at the basketball team's annual banquet. The award is presented each year to a player who best exemplifies the spirit, enthusiasm and intensity of Chris Street.  Street died in a car accident midway through his junior season in 1993.

May, a 6-foot-5 combo guard, started seven games and averaged 5.2 points for Iowa this year. He was a team co-captain and totaled 68 assists and only 23 turnovers. He shot 39.5 percent from 3-point range this year.

"He was absolutely spectacular in that role," Iowa Coach Fran McCaffery said. "Defensively, in the locker room, as a competitor. He also gave us some versatility offensively, especially as the season progressed. You saw him get more and more comfortable shooting the ball. His 3-point percentage was terrific. We posted him up and really utilized him in so many different ways. We're going to have to make up for him."

May played in 133 games and started 76. Iowa finished 10-22 his freshman season and won 25 games last year.

"It's hard to describe how different it is," May said. "You don't want to see it come to an end. But with these guys and all this support, and the direction it's going, it's going to make it a little easier know it's in good hands."

May had struggled through injuries his sophomore and junior seasons but fought back to become a valuable contributor, McCaffery said.

"Coming into the season, nobody thought he was going to be that kind of an impact player because he had been really good but he had been hurt," McCaffery said. "Now, people are saying we wish we had him back. That's what I'm saying"

May said he wants to play professionally in Europe after he graduates next month.

"It's bittersweet but, man, to see all these people out here and see how many people care about this program, to come out here and celebrate it," May said, "I'm glad we have this opportunity at the end of every year."

Sophomore center Gabe Olaseni earned the team's most improved player award. Guard Mike Gesell and center Adam Woodbury shared Freshman of the Year. Gesell also took the team's academic honor, while Woodbury shared top defender honors with May.

Sophomore Aaron White was named the team's top rebounder, while junior Devyn Marble was tabbed the top playmaker.