Baker, Cotton Van Vleet and Early Claim Top Team Awards

WICHITA, Kan. — Wichita State fans, coaches and players took a look back at a historic season in 2013-14 at the Shocker Basketball Awards Celebration in front of more than 4,000  fans Thursday night inside Charles Koch Arena.

The evening included comments from the Don Hall, who emceed the event, Wichita Vice Mayor Jeff Blubaugh, County Commissioner Tim Norton, Head Coach Gregg Marshall, point guard Fred VanVleet and three of Wichita State's four seniors. Kadeem Coleby was absent as he was at a scheduled work out.

Senior Cleanthony Early took home the Wichita Eagle Most Valuable Player Award, while Tekele Cotton was named the Shocker Radio Most Outstanding Defensive Player.

Sophomore Fred VanVleet was named the KAKE TV/Shelley Cox Leadership Award winner, and senior Kadeem Coleby, who was named the MVC Elite 18 Award winner, was named the Cleo Littleton Most Improved Player. 

Chadrack Lufile was named the Xavier McDaniel Rebounding Award winner as the team's top rebounder, and Fred VanVleet was named the Warren Armstrong Jabali Assists Award winner.

Ron Baker was named the Shafer Dart Most Inspirational Player, and VanVleet was honored with the Ralph Miller Captain's Award.

Attendees were treated to a highlight video, while players were presented with NCAA watches and plaques. WSU's seniors also took to the mic to express their appreciation to the fans, coachs and their teammates.

The Shockers who were named Valley award winners were also presented with certificates from the Missouri Valley Conference.

Wichita State (35-1), made its third-straight NCAA Tournament appearance, which included a record-breaking 35-straight wins and a final AP ranking of No. 2

The last five years have been the richest stretch in WSU history as the Shockers have won a record 146 games.

Gregg Marshall was voted the unanimous National Coach of the Year by every award possible, and also the Valley's Coach-of-the-Year in 2012, 2013 and 2014.

The back-to-back-to-back NCAA appearances were the first for the school, while WSU's 2014 Missouri Valley Conference championship was the first since 2012.

—Wichita State University—