BROOKENS EARN NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR; 3 SWEDES EARN ALL-KCAC HONORS
Wichita, Kan. - The Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference is pleased to announce the 2022-23 KCAC Men's Basketball all-conference teams and award winners. Student-athletes were selected for all awards by vote of the KCAC head men's basketball coaches.
Oklahoma Wesleyan won the regular-season conference championship with a 20-2 mark in conference play, which was part of a 25-3 overall record. The Eagles' Jaden Lietzke was named the KCAC Men's Basketball Player of the Year. His teammate, Derrick Talton, Jr., was named the KCAC Men's Basketball Defensive Player of the Year. Carmelo Yakubu of Bethel College was named the KCAC Men's Basketball Freshman of the Year. Anthony Monson, the head coach at Kansas Wesleyan University, was named the conference's Coach of the Year by his peers.
Justin Brookens was named the KCAC's Newcomer of the Year as well as All-KCAC Second Team! Brookens ranked third in the KCAC in points per game (18.3), third in steals per game (2.3), and fourth in assists per game (3.3).
Solomon Clayton was named as All-KCAC First Team and All-KCAC Defensive Team! Clayton ranked second in offensive rebounds (76) and blocks (47) as well as third in total points scored (455) and field goal percentage (59.0%).
Dylan Smith was named as All-KCAC Honorable Mention! Smith ranked third in total steals (66) and fifth in total assists (86).
To see all the statistics, click here for NAIA stats & rankings and click here for KCAC stats and rankings.
Below are all of the athletes that were selected for All-KCAC recognition:
FIRST TEAM
|
NAME |
INSTITUTION |
CLASS |
POSITION |
HOMETOWN |
|
Jaden Lietzke (U)@ |
Oklahoma Wesleyan University |
So. |
F/C |
Owasso, Okla. |
|
Cevin Clark (U) |
Southwestern College |
Jr. |
G |
Arkansas City, Kan. |
|
Alex Littlejohn (U) |
Kansas Wesleyan University |
So. |
F |
Newton, Kan. |
|
Solomon Clayton (U) |
Bethany College |
Sr. |
F |
Fort Dodge, Iowa |
|
Clifford Byrd II (U) |
Bethel College |
Grad. |
G |
Memphis, Texas |
SECOND TEAM
|
NAME |
INSTITUTION |
CLASS |
POSITION |
HOMETOWN |
|
Brent Clark (U) |
York University |
Sr. |
G |
Dallas, Texas |
|
Andrew O'Brien (U) |
Southwestern College |
Jr. |
F |
Halstead, Kan. |
|
Jun Murdock (U) |
Kansas Wesleyan University |
Sr. |
G |
Wichita, Kan |
|
Kaleb Stokes (U) |
Oklahoma Wesleyan University |
Jr. |
F |
Tulsa, Okla. |
|
Justin Brookens (U)# |
Bethany College |
Sr. |
G |
Milwaukee, Wis. |
THIRD TEAM
|
NAME |
INSTITUTION |
CLASS |
POSITION |
HOMETOWN |
|
Derrick Talton Jr. (U)(D) |
Oklahoma Wesleyan University |
So. |
G |
Fort Worth, Texas |
|
Cedric Rollerson |
Sterling College |
Jr. |
G |
Oklahoma City, Okla. |
|
Deng Bol |
Southwestern College |
Sr. |
G |
Kansas City, Mo. |
|
Bryant Mocaby |
Bethel College |
Jr. |
G |
Goddard, Kan. |
|
Deondre Buggage |
Ottawa University |
So. |
G |
Gray, La. |
HONORABLE MENTION
|
NAME |
INSTITUTION |
CLASS |
POSITION |
HOMETOWN |
|
Brandon Bird |
Oklahoma Wesleyan University |
Sr. |
G/F |
Denton, Texas |
|
Deshaud St. Martin |
University of Saint Mary |
Sr. |
F |
Danville, Ky. |
|
Derrian Reed |
Sterling College |
Jr. |
G |
Colorado Springs, Colo. |
|
Donte' Simpson |
Avila University |
Sr. |
G |
Union City, Tenn. |
|
Bethany College |
So. |
G |
Stillwater, Okla. |
|
|
Thatcher McClure |
Tabor College |
Jr. |
F |
McKinney, Texas |
|
Ty Bland |
Ottawa University |
Sr. |
F |
Auburn Hills, Mich. |
|
Easton Hunter |
Kansas Wesleyan University |
Jr. |
F |
Colwich, Kan. |
|
Much Biel |
York University |
Jr. |
F |
Grand Island, Neb. |
|
Owen Braxmeyer |
McPherson College |
So. |
G |
Manhattan, Kan. |
|
Carmelo Yakubu (F) |
Bethel College |
Fr. |
G |
Houston, Texas |
|
Tim Barbieri |
Friends University |
Jr. |
F |
Abilene, Kan. |
|
Cooper Pierce |
Southwestern College |
Sr. |
G/F |
Arkansas City, Kan. |
|
Antonio Watson |
McPherson College |
So. |
G |
Midwest City, Okla. |
|
Dylan Phillip |
Oklahoma Wesleyan University |
So. |
G/F |
Humble, Texas |
DEFENSIVE TEAM
|
NAME |
INSTITUTION |
CLASS |
POSITION |
HOMETOWN |
|
Derrick Talton Jr. (D) |
Oklahoma Wesleyan University |
So. |
G |
Fort Worth, Texas |
|
Clifford Byrd II |
Bethel College |
Jr. |
G |
Memphis, Texas |
|
Deng Bol |
Southwestern College |
Jr. |
G |
Kansas City, Mo. |
|
Jun Murdock |
Kansas Wesleyan University |
Sr. |
G |
Wichita, Kan. |
|
Bethany College |
Fr. |
F |
Fort Dodge, Iowa |
ALL-FRESHMEN TEAM
|
NAME |
INSTITUTION |
CLASS |
POSITION |
HOMETOWN |
|
Carmelo Yakubu (F) |
Bethel College |
Fr. |
G |
Houston, Texas |
|
Thatcher McClure |
Tabor College |
Fr. |
F |
McKinney, Texas |
|
Al Emerllahu |
Friends University |
Fr. |
G |
San Antonio, Texas |
|
Christian Williams |
Friends University |
Fr. |
F |
Wichita, Kan. |
|
Zach Hidalgo |
Southwestern College |
Fr. |
G |
Hooker, Okla. |
(U) = Unanimous Selection
@= Selected "Player of the Year."
# = Selected "Newcomer of the Year."
(F)= Selected "Freshman of the Year."
(D) = Selected "Defensive Player of the Year."
~#RockarStockar~