Sporting News joins Athlon Sports, FoxSports.com in naming OU's Blake Griffin best player in America

Projections have prepped us for Oklahoma’s next major award winner.

Sporting News joined Athlon Sports and FoxSports.com Thursday in naming Griffin the premier player in America. While none rank as college basketball’s five major player of the year awards, the honors suggest what has become a growing notion that Griffin will dominate when the voting is complete.

The Heisman Trophy already resides in Norman with quarterback Sam Bradford. If Griffin wins one of the recognized player of the year awards, OU would become the first school in history to sweep the two sports.

Griffin headlined the Sporting News All-America Team, joined by Pittsburgh’s DeJuan Blair, Davidson’s Stephen Curry, North Carolina’s Tyler Hansbrough and Arizona State’s James Harden.

The Sooner sophomore leads the Big 12 in scoring at 22.1 points per game and leads the country win 14.2 rebounding average.

Griffin owns the OU single-season record with 25 double doubles, which ties him for the nation’s lead. His 425 rebounds are a Big 12 season record. And his 13 games of at least 20 points and 15 rebounds are six more than any player in league history.

Behind Griffin, the Sooners are ranked No. 6 in the country and were 27-4 heading into Thursday’s Bedlam matchup with Oklahoma State in the Big 12 Tournament.