Although his incredible individual season is not quite finished, Michigan guard Trey Burke has received a very prestigious honor.

According to ESPN.com, Burke has been selected as the Associated Press’ college basketball player of the year. Burke, the sharp-shooting sophomore, is only the second player ever from the University of Michigan to receive the honor, with the other being Cazzie Russell in 1966.

Burke stacked up some impressive individual numbers, as he averaged 19.2 points, 6.7 assists and shot better than 40 percent from three-point range this season, but it was his leadership that really won over AP voters. Burke has played with a team consisting mostly of younger players – including several freshman – throughout Michigan’s 2012-2013 campaign and still managed to guide the Wolverines to a 2013 Final Four appearance.

“He has been with three to five freshmen all year long,” Michigan coach John Beilein said Thursday. “Here he is this cagey sophomore, veteran sophomore.

“Come on, the whole year he has been just as calm and cool as if he was a fifth-year redshirt senior guard. So you look at that. Those young guys look at Trey, they see poise, they see patience. It’s worked very well.”

Burke is likely thrilled with his new title, but undoubtedly, he cares more about a different one – 2013 NCAA National Champion.

Thanks to Burke’s heroics against Kansas, the Wolverines will continue their quest for that title on Saturday as they take on the Syracuse Orange in the national semifinal.