LOS ANGELES -- Jason Williams of Duke, last year's runner-up, won the 26th John R. Wooden Award on Sunday as college basketball's top male player.

		It has been a busy offseason for Duke guard Jason Williams. It's been trophy time -- his most recent is the John Wooden Award. But knowing Jason as well as I have over the last three years, he would trade all his player-of-the-year awards for another gold trophy that said "NCAA championship." Earlier in the season, I said on several occasions that Williams would be my choice at point guard over any other NBA player except Jason Kidd. But did I mean he's the second-best talent at point guard right now? More...

"Wow. This is a great award," Williams said, accepting the trophy from Wooden in a presentation at the Los Angeles Athletic Club. "This one just tops them all. Coach Wooden represents everything I've always stood for -- pride, integrity and trust."

Williams beat out Drew Gooden of Kansas by 900 points.

Williams will graduate in May with a sociology degree in just three years. He is the third Duke player in four years to win. Shane Battier beat out Williams last year, and Elton Brand won in 1999.

Williams led the Atlantic Coast Conference with 21.3 points a game.

Duke lost to Indiana 74-73 in the regional semifinals of the NCAA tournament when Williams missed a free throw that would have tied the game.

"Everybody's been saying, `I'm sorry you missed that shot against Indiana,' but I've had a great career," said Williams, also selected as The Associated Press player of the year.

Williams received 5,223 points in voting by a national panel of sports writer and sportscasters. Gooden was second with 4,323.

Juan Dixon of national champion Maryland was third with 3,845; Cincinnati's Steve Logan was fourth at 2,887; and Gonzaga's Dan Dickau was one vote behind in fifth.

Williams singled out Dixon in his thank yous.

"Playing against Juan for three years has been a great thing for me," he said.

Williams was accompanied by Duke assistant Johnny Dawkins, filling in for coach Mike Krzyzewski, who is recovering from hip surgery.

Former Louisville coach Denny Crum also attended to receive the fourth Legends of Coaching award. Crum played and coached under Wooden at UCLA.

"Legends, I think it means I'm getting old," Crum said. "To receive this from Coach is an honor."