Hardy named AP Honorable Mention, Burrell in dunk contest

In a season that already included three Big East Player of the Week awards and a spot on the All-Big East First Team, senior guard Dwight Hardy has added another impressive accolade to his resume.

The 6’2” Bronx native has been named an Honorable Mention AP All-American, the national media panel announced Monday night. He becomes the first St. John’s player to be named an AP All-American since Erick Barkley received the same honor in 1999-2000.

Hardy’s team-leading 18.3 points per game ranked fourth in the Big East, increasing his production after  Coach Steve Lavin’s early-season decision to move the senior from shooting guard to point guard.

“Point guard gives me a better chance to shoot off the dribble,” Hardy said of transitioning to a relatively unfamiliar position. “[The coaches] want[ed] me to be aggressive at all times.”

And though the Johnnies’ NCAA Tournament run ended with a loss to Gonzaga, Hardy will still make a trip to the Final Four in Houston, as he was selected to compete in the State Farm College 3-Point Championships on March 31st. He will be traveling with teammate Justin Burrell, who was selected to compete in the Slam Dunk Contest.

Hardy shot 35% from long range on the year, averaging nearly two 3-pointers per game. In his two-year career at St. John’s, he shot nearly 37% from 3-point range. He will also take part in the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) All-Star Game on April 1st in Houston.

Competing alongside Hardy will be LaceDarius Dunn of Baylor, Andrew Goudelock of College of Charleston, Ravern Johnson of Mississippi State, Mickey McConnell of Saint Mary’s, Kansas Jayhawk Brady Morningstar, Kansas State’s Jacob Pullen and Mississippi’s Chris Warren.

Burrell, known as a strong, powerful dunker, will compete in the Slam Dunk Contest after receiving the Big East Sixth Man Award earlier this season. He averaged 6.3 points and 4.9 rebounds off the bench for the Red Storm in 2010-2011.

The dunk competition will also include Pittsburgh’s Gilbert Brown, Will Coleman of Memphis, East Tennessee State’s Justin Tubbs, Illinois College’s Jacob Tucker, San Diego State Aztec Billy White, Darnell Wilks of Cincinatti, and UNC Asheville’s John Williams.

The festivities will air on March 31^st at 9pm ET on ESPN2.