Murray State University Athletics
Photo by: Lance Allison
Isaiah Canaan To Play Senior Season At Murray State
4/5/2012 4:52:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Inside College Basketball Radio Interview With Jeff Goodman
Murray State men's basketball coach Steve Prohm announced that Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year and multiple All-America pick Isaiah Canaan will play his senior season with the Racers in 2012-13 after exploring leaving school early to play professional basketball.
Coming off one of the greatest team seasons in the history of the MSU program, the junior from Biloxi, Miss., explored his options of entering the 2012 National Basketball Association draft after an outstanding individual season in which he was considered for every major award in college basketball.
“I'm proud of what Isaiah accomplished this season both for the team and for himself,” Prohm said. “Along with his parents, we did our due diligence and looked into what opportunities he might have to play in the NBA with the help of the NBA Undergraduate Advisory Committee. The most important thing was to look long term and do what was in Isaiah's best interest. He felt playing his senior season for the Racers was best.”
“I talked to a lot of different people and got feedback from people I respect,” Canaan said. “This was all about the timing and making the right decision and I think I did. Coach Prohm and my parents were very supportive and I appreciate them being there for me. You know, you dream of playing in the NBA and this was a good experience to explore the possibilities. I'm excited to be at Murray State.”
“Obviously we're excited that Isaiah will be back at MSU for his senior season,” Prohm added. “He's a team player and one of our leaders and he represents Racer Basketball in the right way. He's a tremendous talent, but he's also humble and unselfish. I'm glad he's bringing all of those great qualities to our team for his senior season.”
“There were many reasons to stay at MSU,” Canaan added. “I want to try to win another OVC championship. We have a good team coming back and there aren't many guys in college basketball that can say they've won four championships. We want to get back to the NCAA Tournament and give it another run, so there are many things I want to accomplish. I want to graduate and become a better player.”
Canaan helped the Racers to a program record 31 wins in the 2011-12 season as MSU was the final undefeated team in NCAA Division I at 23-0 and they were the only squad in the nation that didn't lose a road game this season. MSU went 31-2 and won the OVC's regular season and tournament titles. MSU earned the highest seed in program history at No. 6 and defeated Colorado State in the NCAA Tournament before losing to Marquette in the round of 32. MSU had its first national rankings since 1998 & highest: No. 7 ESPN/USA Today & No. 9 Associated Press (Feb. 9). MSU finished with their highest final rankings as well, No. 12 AP & No. 16 ESPN/USA Today.
Canaan, who showed a remarkable flair for the big moment, topped the 30-point mark in scoring four times. He led MSU to a championship win in double-overtime at the Great Alaska Shootout (Nov. 26) when he had a career-high 36 points against Southern Mississippi. In a game (Jan. 7) at Austin Peay, Canaan hit his first seven three-point attempts and scored 35 points. When the Racers were trailing in the second half against Southeast Missouri (Feb. 2), he led a big run that included four threes in a short period of time and finished with 32 points. Canaan scored 31 in MSU's only regular season loss to Tennessee State (Feb. 9).
He ended the season the 24th leading scorer in the nation (19.0 points per game), sixth in made threes per game (2.97) and 13th in three-point percentage (.456). Canaan was 36th in the nation in free throw percentage (.858) and 47th in steals per game (1.91).
As the season progressed, Canaan's stock rose on the strength of solid play and a Murray State team that kept the wins coming as they moved up in the national rankings. Canaan was named to six All-America teams including: Associated Press, CBS, National Basketball Coaches Association, United States Basketball Writers Association, John Wooden and Lute Olson. He was an All-Ohio Valley Conference pick for the third straight season and the league's player of the year.
Canaan will enter his senior season already among the best that have worn the Murray State uniform. With 1,374 points, he has a chance to become the sixth member of the MSU 2000-Point Club and he'll keep moving up the MSU list in career steals, asssits and free throws. Canaan needs 42 threes to set the MSU career record for made three-point baskets. He's also a .446 career shooter from three-point range with the MSU record at .450.
Along with teammates Ed Daniel and Jordan Burge, Canaan can be in the winningest class in MSU history. The outgoing class of Ivan Aska, Donte Poole and Jewuan Long leave with 104 wins. The 2013 class enters next season with 85. The group of players that were All-OVC four straight seasons consists of: Lamont Sleets (1980, 82, 83, 84) and Isaac Spencer (1998-2001). Eight players in the history of Racer Basketball have won four straight regular season titles in the OVC.
Murray State men's basketball coach Steve Prohm announced that Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year and multiple All-America pick Isaiah Canaan will play his senior season with the Racers in 2012-13 after exploring leaving school early to play professional basketball.
Coming off one of the greatest team seasons in the history of the MSU program, the junior from Biloxi, Miss., explored his options of entering the 2012 National Basketball Association draft after an outstanding individual season in which he was considered for every major award in college basketball.
“I'm proud of what Isaiah accomplished this season both for the team and for himself,” Prohm said. “Along with his parents, we did our due diligence and looked into what opportunities he might have to play in the NBA with the help of the NBA Undergraduate Advisory Committee. The most important thing was to look long term and do what was in Isaiah's best interest. He felt playing his senior season for the Racers was best.”
“I talked to a lot of different people and got feedback from people I respect,” Canaan said. “This was all about the timing and making the right decision and I think I did. Coach Prohm and my parents were very supportive and I appreciate them being there for me. You know, you dream of playing in the NBA and this was a good experience to explore the possibilities. I'm excited to be at Murray State.”
“Obviously we're excited that Isaiah will be back at MSU for his senior season,” Prohm added. “He's a team player and one of our leaders and he represents Racer Basketball in the right way. He's a tremendous talent, but he's also humble and unselfish. I'm glad he's bringing all of those great qualities to our team for his senior season.”
“There were many reasons to stay at MSU,” Canaan added. “I want to try to win another OVC championship. We have a good team coming back and there aren't many guys in college basketball that can say they've won four championships. We want to get back to the NCAA Tournament and give it another run, so there are many things I want to accomplish. I want to graduate and become a better player.”
Canaan helped the Racers to a program record 31 wins in the 2011-12 season as MSU was the final undefeated team in NCAA Division I at 23-0 and they were the only squad in the nation that didn't lose a road game this season. MSU went 31-2 and won the OVC's regular season and tournament titles. MSU earned the highest seed in program history at No. 6 and defeated Colorado State in the NCAA Tournament before losing to Marquette in the round of 32. MSU had its first national rankings since 1998 & highest: No. 7 ESPN/USA Today & No. 9 Associated Press (Feb. 9). MSU finished with their highest final rankings as well, No. 12 AP & No. 16 ESPN/USA Today.
Canaan, who showed a remarkable flair for the big moment, topped the 30-point mark in scoring four times. He led MSU to a championship win in double-overtime at the Great Alaska Shootout (Nov. 26) when he had a career-high 36 points against Southern Mississippi. In a game (Jan. 7) at Austin Peay, Canaan hit his first seven three-point attempts and scored 35 points. When the Racers were trailing in the second half against Southeast Missouri (Feb. 2), he led a big run that included four threes in a short period of time and finished with 32 points. Canaan scored 31 in MSU's only regular season loss to Tennessee State (Feb. 9).
He ended the season the 24th leading scorer in the nation (19.0 points per game), sixth in made threes per game (2.97) and 13th in three-point percentage (.456). Canaan was 36th in the nation in free throw percentage (.858) and 47th in steals per game (1.91).
As the season progressed, Canaan's stock rose on the strength of solid play and a Murray State team that kept the wins coming as they moved up in the national rankings. Canaan was named to six All-America teams including: Associated Press, CBS, National Basketball Coaches Association, United States Basketball Writers Association, John Wooden and Lute Olson. He was an All-Ohio Valley Conference pick for the third straight season and the league's player of the year.
Canaan will enter his senior season already among the best that have worn the Murray State uniform. With 1,374 points, he has a chance to become the sixth member of the MSU 2000-Point Club and he'll keep moving up the MSU list in career steals, asssits and free throws. Canaan needs 42 threes to set the MSU career record for made three-point baskets. He's also a .446 career shooter from three-point range with the MSU record at .450.
Along with teammates Ed Daniel and Jordan Burge, Canaan can be in the winningest class in MSU history. The outgoing class of Ivan Aska, Donte Poole and Jewuan Long leave with 104 wins. The 2013 class enters next season with 85. The group of players that were All-OVC four straight seasons consists of: Lamont Sleets (1980, 82, 83, 84) and Isaac Spencer (1998-2001). Eight players in the history of Racer Basketball have won four straight regular season titles in the OVC.
Head Coach Ryan Miller | Racer Basketball | Post Game Press Conference 12/2/25
Wednesday, December 03
Mathis Courbon & JJ Traynor | Racer Basketball | Post Game Press Conference 12/2/25
Wednesday, December 03
Morehead VS Murray State Men's Basketball Highlights
Wednesday, December 03
Head Coach Ryan Miller | Racer Basketball | 12/1/25 Press Conference
Monday, December 01
