Jordan McLaughlin, Chimezie Metu share USC basketball team MVP award

Jordan McLaughlin and Chimezie Metu were named co-winners of the Sam Barry Award, presented to the USC basketball team’s most valuable player, at the annual postseason awards banquet Thursday evening.

It was the first time since 2014 that Trojans coach Andy Enfield had given a team MVP award to a player.

McLaughlin, a senior guard, led the Pac-12 in assists at 7.8 per game and finished his career second on USC’s all-time assists list. Metu, a junior forward who is entering the NBA draft, was the team’s leading scorer, rebounder and shot blocker, averaging 15.7 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game.

The alley-oop tandem led USC (24-12 overall, 12-6 Pac-12) to a second-place finish in the conference, but the Trojans were left out of the field for the NCAA Tournament after consecutive appearances. Their season ended with a second-round loss in the National Invitation Tournament.

Here’s a full list of the award winners from USC:

Sam Barry Award (MVP): Chimezie Metu & Jordan McLaughlin

The Harold Jones Award (Most Improved): Nick Rakocevic

Bob Boyd Award (Top Rebounder): Chimezie Metu

Ryan Francis Scholarship Award (Example of Being a Trojan): Jonah Mathews

Bill Sharman Award (Top FT Percentage): Derryck Thornton

Forrest F. Twogood Award (Best Defensive Player): Jordan McLaughlin

Dr. James Zumberge Award (Top GPA): Jordan McLaughlin

John Rudometkin Award (110% Effort): Jordan Usher

Ernie Holbrook Award (Most Inspirational): Elijah Stewart

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