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UCLA Baksetball: Aaron Holiday named MVP at team banquet

By Mike Regalado

KANSAS CITY, MO - NOVEMBER 21: Aaron Holiday
KANSAS CITY, MO - NOVEMBER 21: Aaron Holiday /
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The UCLA basketball team held their annual year-end banquet where several Bruins were honored. Aaron Holiday received the biggest honor as the team MVP.

Despite a 21-12 finish with an NCAA Tournament exit in the “play in” game, the UCLA basketball team did have plenty of achievements to smile about during the 2017-18 season.

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Those achievements were honored on an individual level as the Bruins held their annual banquet celebrating several players who made an impact last season.

The top award went to team leader, point guard Aaron Holiday, who was named MVP, receiving the Coach John Wooden Award. Holiday was the heart and soul of the Bruins who carried the weight of the team throughout the season. He not only led the team and the Pac-12 in scoring with 20.3 ppg, but was also second in the conference in assists with 5.8.

Holiday, along with center Thomas Welsh, led the Bruins that had a lot going on off the court, but still managed to pull off some incredibles wins which included a victory over Kentucky, Arizona and sweeping USC.

Other award recipients are as follows:

  • Welsh – J.D. Morgan Memorial Award (outstanding “team” player)
  • Holiday and Welsh – Bob “Ace” Calkins Memorial Award (top free throw shooter)
  • Welsh – Gerald A. Finerman Award (top rebounder)
  • Gyorgy Goloman – Irv Pohlmeyer Memorial Award (top defensive player)
  • Goloman – Overall Field Goal Percentage Leader
  • Kris Wilkes – Seymour Armond Memorial Award (most valuable freshman)
  • Alex Olesinski – Elvon C. “Ducky” Drake Memorial Award (best competitive spirit)
  • Prince Ali – Most Improved Player Award
  • Armani Dodson – UCLA Faculty Athletic Representative Award (academic achievement)

The Bruins are in transition going into the 2018-19 season. Holiday has declared for the NBA Draft and both Welsh and Goloman, but the Bruins could also lose freshman Wilkes, Jaylen Hands and Cody Riley who are all testing the waters (though they have not hired an agent, leaving the door open for a return). Bit the Bruins also bring in a great recruiting class which includes Moses Brown and Tyger Campbell.

Next: The UCLA Basketball All-Time Team

Congratulations to all the Bruins that were honored and gave us their all this past season. Go Bruins!