BOSTON, Mass. -- CollegeInsider.com has announced the finalists for the 2024-25 Lou Henson award, which is presented annually to the top player in mid-major in college basketball. High Point's Kimani Hamilton made the list along with 34 other student-athletes from various mid-major conferences. Hamilton becomes the fourth player to be named a Lou Henson Finalist, along with Kezza Giffa (2023-24), John-Michael Wright (2021-22) and John Brown (2015-16).
 
Hamilton, a Big South First Team All-Conference and Big South All-Tournament Team player, was a dynamite for the Panthers this season, producing a balanced offense and defense as a forward. Hamilton was one of two players to start all 34 games during the season and was one of three Panthers to average double figures (13.4ppg). He led the team in field goals made with 158 on 52.3% shooting and scored double figures in 27 games including a season-high 26 points versus Presbyterian (Jan. 18). He registered one double-double versus Norfolk State with a career-high 15 rebounds and 18 points.
 
Hamilton was second on the team in rebounding totaling 160 to average 4.7 per game. At the line he shot 73.3% going 112-for-155 on the season, with a season-high 11-for-16 against North Texas (Dec. 6). He picked up 2+ steals in seven games with a career-high four steals versus Radford (Jan. 2). Prior to the season, Hamilton was named a Big South First Team All-Conference recipient and a Bracketeer Preseason 1st Team All-American.
 
The Lou Henson award honors the former Illinois and New Mexico State head coach who won 775 games in 41 seasons.

Coach Henson is the winningest coach in Illinois basketball history with 423 victories. During his 21 seasons (1975-1996), Henson led the Fighting Illini to 16 postseason appearances, including 12 NCAA tournaments and a Final Four appearance in 1989.

Henson, who is also the all-time winningest coach in New Mexico State history with 289 victories, is one of only 11 coaches to take two different schools to the NCAA Final Four. His teams have made 19 NCAA appearances and four NIT appearances.

Coach Henson passed away on July 25, 2020.
 
The recipient of the annual award is determined by a 10-member voting committee, which consists of current and former head coaches, as well as two senior staff members of collegeinsider.com.

The 2025 award will be announced in San Antonio, TX, site of the men's Division I Basketball Championship.