Nix is Michigan's Mr. Basketball

6'9 285 pound Derrick Nix of Detroit Pershing is the recipient 29th of the Hal Schram awarded to Michigan's best senior. Nix has improved immensely over his high school career, which started at Detroit Murray-Wright. Murray-Wright closed after his sophomore year and he was in integral part of Pershing's state run as a junior where they stumbled in the state final to defending state champion, Saginaw. Pershing will have an opportunity to avenge last year's loss but first they must beat Warren De LaSalle in Tuesday night's 7:30 quarterfinal game at the University of Detroit-Mercy's Calihan Hall.

The big guy averaged 15 points and 15 rebounds and vastly improved from the player that many in Michigan remember from last season. Nix is headed to Michigan State and he will prove a tough battle inside for college opponents just as he has in high school.

The award is only available for seniors and the field was limited to five.

1. Derrick Nix, Detroit Pershing -- 1,726 points (Michigan State U.)
2. Ben Simons, Cadillac -- 1,638 points (Providence College)
3. Korey VanDussen, Zeeland East -- 1,298 points
4. Dion Sims, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s -- 1,027 points (Michigan State U.-football scholarship)
5. Eso Akunne, Ann Arbor Richard -- 782 points (University of Michigan-walk on)
Note: Points are awarded on a 5-3-1 basis.

Past winners

2008: Brad Redford, Frankenmuth (Xavier)
2007: Corperryale (Manny) Harris, Detroit Redford (Michigan)
2006: David Kool, Grand Rapids South Christian (Western Michigan)
2005: Wilson Chandler, Benton Harbor (De Paul)
2004: Drew Neitzel, Wyoming Park (Michigan State)
2003: Dion Harris, Detroit Redford (Michigan)
2002: Paul Davis, Rochester (Michigan State)
2001: Kelvin Torbert, Flint Northwestern (Michigan State)
2000: Marcus Taylor, Lansing Waverly (Michigan State)
1999: Jason Richardson, Saginaw Arthur Hill (Michigan State)
1998: Dane Fife, Clarkston (Indiana)
1997: Shane Battier, Birmingham Detroit Country Day (Duke)
1996: Winfred Walton, Detroit Pershing (Syracuse, Fresno State)
1995: Robert Traylor, Detroit Murray-Wright (Michigan)
1994: Willie Mitchell, Detroit Pershing (Michigan, UAB)
1993: Jon Garavaglia, Southgate Aquinas (Michigan State)
1992: Kenyon Murray, Battle Creek Central (Iowa)
1991: Chris Webber, Birmingham Detroit Country Day (Michigan)
1990: Anthony Miller, Benton Harbor (Michigan State)
1989: Michael Talley, Detroit Cooley (Michigan)
1988: Matt Steigenga, Grand Rapids South Christian (Michigan State)
1987: Mark Macon, Saginaw Buena Vista (Temple)
1986: Terry Mills, Romulus (Michigan)
1985: Glen Rice, Flint Northwestern (Michigan)
1984: Demetreus Gore, Detroit Chadsey (Pittsburgh)
1983: Antoine Joubert, Detroit Southwestern (Michigan)
1982: Robert Henderson, Lansing Eastern (Michigan)
1981: Sam Vincent, Lansing Eastern (Michigan State)