Trey Burke has proven to be one of the top freshman performers in America this season. On Monday, he was grouped among the best at his position, as well.

The Michigan basketball team's second-leading scorer was named one of 60 nominees for the 2012 Bob Cousy Award, an honor presented annually by the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame to the country's top point guard.

Through 11 games, Burke is averaging 13.1 points and 4.7 assists. He is No. 2 on the team in minutes played, averaging 32.7 minutes.

Twice named the Big Ten's Freshman of the Week this season, Burke has played more minutes per game than any freshman in the conference and leads all league freshmen in assists.

Burke is one of five Big Ten players to make the initial list, joining Wisconsin's Jordan Taylor, Ohio State's Aaron Craft, Penn State's Tim Frazier and Purdue's Lewis Jackson.

The original list of 60 candidates will be narrowed down to 20 by Jan. 1 and again to a final 10 by Feb. 1. The final five will be announced on March 1, and the winner of the award will be unveiled at the Final Four in New Orleans.

Connecticut's Kemba Walker won the award last season. The last Big Ten player to receive the honor was Illinois' Dee Brown in 2006.

Nick Baumgardner covers Michigan basketball for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2514, by email at nickbaumgardner@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @nickbaumgardner.

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