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DETROIT --- Blake Griffin capped off an outstanding season Sunday when the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced the University of Oklahoma sophomore as the winner of the 2009 Naismith Men's College Player of the Year Award.

Griffin, who averaged more than 22 points and 14 rebounds while leading OU to a 30-6 mark and a spot in the Elite Eight, beat out DeJuan Blair (University of Pittsburgh), Tyler Hansbrough (University of North Carolina) and Hasheem Thabeet (University of Connecticut).

Griffin, the Big 12 Player of the Year, accepted the trophy from Barry Goheen, Atlanta Tipoff Club Chairman, David Christopher, AT&T's Chief Marketing Officer, Mobility & Consumer, and Gary Stokan, Atlanta Tipoff Club president, at the AT&T National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Guardians of the Game awards program Sunday evening at the Max M. Fisher Music Center.

The winner is selected by the Atlanta Tipoff Club's Board of Selectors, comprised of leading basketball journalists, coaches and administrators from around the country. Fan voting via text message also accounted for 25 percent of the final results. The board based its criteria on player performances this season.

"I don't really know what to say," remarked Griffin following the awards program, which will be televised Monday at 6 p.m. CDT by CBS College Sports. "This has been an incredible past four days, and the Naismith Award is the perfect way to cap off the trip. I've been blessed to receive tremendous support and education from my parents, my brother and my coaches, and from many others. I thank each and every one of them, and especially my teammates, for everything they've done for me."

OU's 6-foot-10 forward led the nation in rebounding (14.4 rpg) and double-doubles (30) while ranking second in field goal percentage (.654) and 11th in scoring (22.7 ppg). He also averaged 2.3 assists and led the Sooners with 41 blocked shots.

Griffin's rebounding, double-double and field goal marks all set Oklahoma and Big 12 Conference single-season records. The Oklahoma City native had 15 games of at least 20 points and 15 rebounds this year, more than doubling the previous league record of seven.

"This is a tremendous honor for Blake, and a deserved one," said Oklahoma head coach Jeff Capel. "He was magnificent for us all season and everyone associated with our program is proud of what he's accomplished.

"Blake has dedicated himself to the game of basketball like no other player I've coached and the results speak for themselves. More impressive than his basketball ability, though, is his life approach and how he carries himself off the court. Blake is a much better person than he is a basketball player."

It marks the first time ever one school has claimed both the Heisman Trophy winner and the Naismith Award. OU quarterback Sam Bradford won the Heisman back in December.

From Staff, Wire and OU SID Reports