Former Morehead State star Kenneth Faried has been named an Ohio Valley Conference Basketball Legend in a newly-created program by the league office. The OVC will recognize legends from each of its member institutions during its 2015 conference tournaments.
Faried, who played at Morehead State from 2007-11, is in his fourth season with the National Basketball Association's Denver Nuggets. He signed a five-year contract extension in October, which Yahoo! Sports, ESPN and several other national media outlets reported being worth $60 million.
A 6-foot-8 forward, Faried most recently helped the United States capture a gold medal in the FIBA (International Basketball Federation) World Cup. The U.S.A., which won all nine of its contests, has now secured an automatic bid to the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
Faried was taken 22nd overall in the 2011 NBA Draft. He earned a spot on the NBA's All-Rookie First Team in 2012. The Newark, N.J., native was tabbed to the NBA's Rising Stars Challenge in 2013 when he also picked up the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award.
In his first three NBA campaigns, Faried tallied 2,490 points and 1,770 rebounds in 206 games. He averaged 13.7 points and 8.6 boards while shooting 55 percent from the field in 2013-14.
Faried helped MSU to two NCAA Tournament appearances (2009, 2011) and was named the Ohio Valley Conference's Male Athlete of the Year as a senior. He was a two-time OVC Basketball Player of the Year (2010-11) and three-time Defensive Player of the Year (2009-11).
Chosen the 2011 Kentucky Sportsman of the Year, Faried was selected to multiple All-America lists following his final campaign. He was also tabbed by the National Association of Basketball Coaches as the National Defensive Player of the Year after his final season.
Faried finished his Morehead State career with 1,673 rebounds. The total set the NCAA's modern-era record, which was previously held by 15-time NBA All-Star Tim Duncan.
The OVC and its member institutions have produced many outstanding student-athletes dating back to 1948. Each league institution identified both a male and female legend to be honored through signage and announcements at this year's and next year's championship.
