While the season’s not over yet, we have a good idea as to who is who in this year’s Pac-10 Conference. The teams still have a couple of weeks to shake out the conference standings, but several players have risen above and beyond. Here’s our picks for several conference-wide awards:

Player of the Year:
James Harden, ASU

Harden may not have received his due dap amongst last season’s crop of super freshmen, but Harden can’t fly under the radar any longer. He leads the league in scoring (21.3 points per game) and is tied for the Pac-10 lead for steals (1.7 per game).

Harden has all the numbers to amaze, but beyond the box score is where he really has an impact. After Sunday’s 65-53 victory over USC, ASU coach Herb Sendek emphasized just how important he is just by being on the floor. Harden attracts so much attention from opposing defenses, it allows for his teammates to knock down open shots. He has showed time and time again that he has no problem dishing the ball out for assists, something invaluable to the ASU offense.

Without Harden, there’s no way the Sun Devils are competing for the Pac-10 title.

Freshman of the Year:
Klay Thompson, Wash.State

Kid Klay has shown he can play.

Look no further than the shellacking he put on ASU in the Cougars’ 65-55 victory on Jan. 29 in Tempe. He hit eight 3-pointers in that game and showed off one of the cleanest strokes in the Pac-10. After the game, ASU sophomore guard Jamelle McMillan didn’t hesitate to call Thompson one of the best pure shooters in the Pac-10. Just last week, Thompson averaged 22.5 points per game in WSU’s contests against the Oregon schools.

Sixth Man of the Year:
Matthew Brian-Amaning, Washington

While you could argue Brian-Amaning gets starter’s minutes (18.4 per game), he has only started one game this season. He’s been very productive whenever tabbed by coach Lorenzo Romar, averaging roughly seven points, five rebounds and one block per game.

When UW forward Jon Brockman graduates after this season, Brian-Amaning will hold prime position to take his place in the starting front court.

Defensive player of the Year:
Darren Collison, UCLA

When the Bruins came into town last Thursday, ASU junior Derek Glasser spent a lot of time with his back to the basket, something rather unorthodox for a point guard.

But that’s what you have to do if you don’t want Collison – tied with Harden for the league lead in steals – to pick your pocket. He’s just so quick with his hands and even quicker with his feet, that turnovers are almost inevitable for whoever he is guarding. Collison was named to the All-Pac-10 defensive team last year and is a lock to make it again in 2009.

All-Pac-10 Team

James Harden, ASU

See above.

If you forgot already, though, just remember where ASU was before his arrival. The Sun Devils went 8-22 and just 2-16 in the Pac-10 before Harden arrived, but have gone 41-18 overall and 18-13 in the conference since.

Harden was an All-Pac-10 selection last year, and will undoubtedly make it again this season.

Darren Collison, UCLA

Collison is the conference’s premier point guard and the heart and soul of a Bruins team that has made the Final Four three straight years.
While UCLA may not have the talent to make it four consecutive seasons, his contributions to the Bruins can’t be overlooked. Who knows where this year’s team would be without him?

Jerome Randle, Cal

Randle has undergone a magnificent transformation since last year, and is among the league leaders in a couple of key statistics. He ranks second only to Harden in scoring (18.4 points per game), while leading the league in assists (5.2 per game). Randle is deadly quick with the ball in his hands and isn’t afraid to hoist it from behind the arc. He’s shooting nearly 47 percent from behind the arc this season.

Jordan Hill, Arizona

Hill is simply a walking double-double.

He’s played himself into next year’s NBA lottery with his great athleticism and scoring abilities. Hill has been on a tear during UA’s recent seven-game win streak, averaging 19.6 points and 10.3 rebounds per game.

Jon Brockman, Washington

Brockman leads all active Pac-10 players in career double-doubles (54) and continues to be one of the most consistent players in the league. He is the crux behind UW’s ascent to the top of the conference standings and can be counted on night in and night out to be a force in the paint.

Reach the reporter at alex.espinoza@asu.edu.