Derrick Walton Jr. will leave Michigan with the honor of being named one of the Big Ten’s best players.
The senior guard was announced as a member of the 2016-17 second team All-Big Ten, averaging 14.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game through the regular season.
While he consistently led the Wolverines in scoring and assists all season long, Walton’s form picked up in conference play, where his leadership both on and off the court helped Michigan close out the Big Ten regular season on a high note.
Walton finished in the top-10 of individual conference scoring, assists, free-throw percentage, 3-point percentage and defensive rebounding. The senior’s impact helped Michigan finish with a 10-8 Big Ten record and win six of its final eight conference games. Walton finished the conference season earning four double-doubles, scoring 20-plus points in six outings and picking up two Big Ten player of the Week honors along the way.
The senior guard also became the first Wolverine player and just the 13th in Big Ten history to record over 1,000 points, 500 rebounds and 400 assists in his career.
Purdue forward Caleb Swanigan, Wisconsin forward Ethan Happ, Iowa guard Peter Jok, Maryland guard Melo Trimble and Minnesota guard Nate Mason were all selected to the first team All-Big Ten over Walton.
Walton is joined by Michigan State forward Miles Bridges, Illinois forward Malcolm Hill, Northwestern guard Bryant McIntosh, Wisconsin guard Bronson Koenig (coaches selection) and Nebraska guard Tai Webster (media selection) on the conference’s all-second team.
Senior guard Zak Irvin and sophomore forward Moritz Wagner also earned All-Big Ten honorable mentions.
Irvin and Wagner finished as the Wolverines’ second and third highest scorers, averaging 12.6 and 12.4 points per game, respectively. Wagner finished with the conference’s sixth highest field goal percentage, while Irvin led the Big Ten in minutes played.
In addition to his all-conference honors, Walton was named co-Big Ten Player of the Week following the Wolverines’ loss at Northwestern and win against Nebraska. The senior averaged 16.5 points and 11 assists across both games and now is the sole owner of Michigan’s single-game assist record after earning 16 helpers against the Cornhuskers on Sunday.