Opinion: Javon Small snubbed from Big 12 Player of the Year honors

The All-Big 12 Conference honors were released on Monday afternoon and it is no surprise that West Virginia’s senior guard Javon Small has been named as a first-team all-conference member. In just one season with the Mountaineers, Javon Small has put forth numerous incredible performances en route to leading his team to hearing its name called on Selection Sunday in just a few days. 

Starting in all 31 games for the Mountaineers, Small averaged 18.5 points per game while playing over 36 minutes per game. Small was tied for the Big 12 lead in scoring and finished 2nd in minutes played per game. 

Throughout his collegiate career, Small proved to be more than just a capable scorer. As a Mountaineer, that was no different -- Small finished the season averaging 5.6 assists per game, good for third in the Big 12. Small also managed 4.2 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game. 

Undoubtedly, Javon Small has put together one of the most impressive individual seasons in the recent history of the Mountaineer basketball program. 

Small joins a short list of Mountaineer players to be named to the All-Big 12 first team. While only being a Mountaineer for one season (one that still has a postseason to be played), Small’s performance this year will not soon be forgotten by fans throughout the Mountain State and beyond. 

Big 12 Player of the Year?

Many are making the claim that Javon Small deserved to be named the conference’s player of the year, as opposed to JT Toppin of Texas Tech who was the recipient of the award.

Toppin, the transfer from New Mexico, elevated his game to another level as a sophomore at Texas Tech. Toppin averaged 18 points and 9 rebounds per game leading the Red Raiders to a 24-7 (15-5) record, good for 2nd in the Big 12 behind only the Houston Cougars. 

Aside from playing different positions on the floor, another notable difference between Toppin and Small comes through their team’s overall record. Texas Tech has aspirations of being a 2 or 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament while West Virginia is just relieved to be safely in the field and off of the bubble. Perhaps voters simply couldn’t get over the fact that the Mountaineers have a .500 record in Big 12 play. 

Regardless, just as Toppin is plenty worthy of the honor, Small would’ve been an apt recipient of the award -- an important component to consider when debating this is where West Virginia would be without the play of Javon Small.

Without Small, it is all but a foregone conclusion that this team would be nowhere near the NCAA Tournament. Small has been absolutely sensational and Mountaineer fans are hopeful he can lead them to a deep run in Kansas City during the Big 12 Tournament and as the NCAA Tournament tips off next week.