HPU’s Chaney named CBSSports.com Midseason Comeback Player of the Year

High Point University graduate student Allan Chaney was recognized by CBSSports.com as the outlet’s Midseason Comeback Player of the Year on Thursday. Chaney overcame a heart ailment to and is averaging 13.4 points and 7.9 rebounds this season.

A 6-foot-9, 235-pound forward, Chaney was ranked by ESPN as the No. 64 player in the high school class of 2008. He attended the University of Florida in 2008-09 and posted averages of 9.8 minutes, 3.0 points, 2.1 rebounds in 23 games (two starts). He then transferred to Virginia Tech and sat out the 2009-10 season due to NCAA transfer rules.

In the spring of 2010, Chaney experienced a life-threatening heart problem called viral myrocarditis. He was forced to sit out the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons before being medically cleared to play in May 2012.

Chaney graduated from Virginia Tech in 2012 with a degree in apparel, housing and resource management. He transferred to High Point University over the summer and enrolled in HPU’s master’s program in nonprofit management. The NCAA granted Chaney relief from the one-time-transfer exception rule as well as a sixth season of eligibility.

Chaney made an immediate impact for High Point University when he played in his first game on Nov. 9 against UNC Greensboro. It was 1,346 days after his previous game in 2009 and Chaney scored 15 points with seven rebounds in 16 minutes of play. He scored 18 points with six rebounds in his next game against Appalachian State four days later.

On the season, Chaney’s 13.4 points per game rank second for the Panthers and he leads the team with 7.9 rebounds per game. Chaney is shooting 52.1 percent from the floor and 87.8 percent from the free-throw line. He has scored at least 20 points twice and has posted two double-doubles.

CBSSports.com article: http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/story/21534358/midseason-awards-long-arms-of-big-men-gathering-in-the-hardware