Clark, Williams Named as Preseason Wooden Award Candidates

From University of Louisville Sports Information Office....

University of Louisville forwards Earl Clark and Terrence Williams have been named as preseason candidates for the 2008-09 John R. Wooden Award All-American Team and Player of the Year trophy. The list is composed of 50 student athletes who, based on last year's individual performance and team records, are the early frontrunners for the honor.

In helping the Cardinals to a 27-9 record and second-place BIG EAST Conference finish, Clark averaged a team-high 8.1 rebounds and 1.7 blocked shots and added 11.1 points per game. During the Cardinals' NCAA Elite Eight tournament run, the 6-9 Clark averaged a team-leading 14.5 points, 8.3 rebounds and blocked seven shots while hitting 62.2 percent of his shots (23-of-37). An NCAA East Region All-Tournament selection, Clark produced a 10 double-doubles last season.

Williams averaged 11.1 points last season and was among the BIG EAST Conference leaders in assists (4.5), rebounding (7.2), assists-turnovers ratio (1.54) and minutes played (35.9). A two-time All-BIG EAST Conference and NABC All-District 7 second team selection, Williams produced two triple-doubles as a junior - only the third and fourth triple-doubles in U of L history. The team co-captain enters his senior year No. 48 in career scoring at U of L with 1,102 career points.

Louisville is one of seven universities with at least two players among the candidates for the award.