After a season of hard work, determination, and perseverance, college basketball players are recognized for their unique skills at an award show in Los Angeles. The most valuable award of the night is the John R. Wooden Award, received by the most outstanding men’s and women’s college basketball players. Not only do these incredibly talented student-athletes execute in games, they also represent the fifteen characteristics from Wooden’s Pyramid of Success. Initiative, cooperation, and personal best are three of the many traits the players exemplify. The ceremony takes place on ESPN and numerous amounts of people come to watch the experience live at the Nokia Theatre. Trae Young, Deandre Ayton, Marvin Bagley, Jalen Brunson, and Devonte’ Graham were the five nominees up for the award this year. Throughout the night, the anticipation had built up, as people anxiously waited to hear the winner of one of the biggest and most honorable awards in College Basketball. Jalen Brunson was called to the stage and received a great amount of applause from the crowd. Number one on Villanova, and serving the role of point guard, Brunson helped carry his team to earn the title of the 2018 National Champions. Jay Wright, Villanova’s coach attended the ceremony, and he was both ecstatic and proud to watch Brunson receive the John R. Wooden Award. Players work hard each day, pouring their hearts and souls into their school’s basketball program, as they are passionate and love the sport. Jalen Brunson will be attending the NBA Draft in June this year and is expected to be drafted. He lives his life to the fullest, one with no regrets in which he is working towards a new goal each day.

Images from CBS Sports, Fast Model Sports, and NBC Sports