ATLANTA (February 24, 2017) – Benedict’s Brandon Morris earned a pair of the league’s highest honors by being named the 2017 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Men’s Basketball Player and Newcomer of the Year, announced
Friday by the conference office.
All-conference honors are voted on by the league’s head coaches and sports information directors.
Morris, a 6’8 junior guard from Lithonia, Ga. averaged 19.2 points and 7.7 rebounds per game in his first season with Benedict (15-11, 12-5). In conference games, Morris leads the SIAC in scoring (21.5 ppg). He recorded nine double-doubles this season and received six SIAC Men’s Basketball Weekly honors throughout the year. His best games during the season came within days of each other when he helped Benedict escape Clark Atlanta 79-78 on Jan. 28. Morris led all players in points (35) and rebounds (12). Days later in a 120-117 quadruple overtime win at Morehouse, Morris scored a career-high 36 points and finished with 13 rebounds.
Kendarius Ash, a 6’7 sophomore forward from Decatur, Ga. was named the SIAC Defensive Player of the Year. He helped Lane clinch the SIAC west division title as the Dragons (17-9) finished with a 14-3 record in conference play. Ash averaged a double-double during the 2016-17 regular season with 12.1 points and 12.8 rebounds per game. Ash is ranked first in the conference in rebounds (12.8) which is second in NCAA Division II and has averaged 14.0 rebounds per game in conference games. He recorded 321 rebounds this season and ranks third in NCAA Division II in total rebounds.
Myles Thomas of Tuskegee was voted Freshman of the Year. Thomas, a 6’7 forward averaged 7.9 points and 4.4 rebounds per game for the Golden Tigers. The Bainbridge, Ga. native leads his team in 3-pointers (37) and has shot a team-best 79.2 percent from the free throw line. Thomas finished with 24 assists, nine steals and seven blocks during the regular season.
Claflin’s Ricky Jackson was selected as the Coach of the Year. The Panthers (17-9, 12-5) finished first in a three-way tie and were named the east division champions.
The 2017 SIAC Basketball Tournament kicks off on
Monday, Feb. 27 at Bill Harris Arena in Birmingham, Ala. For brackets, events, and more
CLICK HERE.
Player of the Year: Brandon Morris, Benedict
Defensive Player of the Year: Kendarius Ash, Lane
Newcomer of the Year: Brandon Morris, Benedict
Freshman of the Year: Myles Thomas, Tuskegee
Coach of the Year: Ricky Jackson, Claflin
2017 SIAC Men’s Basketball All-Conference Team
| Dwight Richards, Jr. |
Central State |
Junior |
Forward |
Fort Wayne, Ind. |
| Brandon Morris |
Benedict |
Junior |
Forward |
Lithonia, Ga. |
| Tyrius Walker |
Morehouse |
Junior |
Guard |
Atlanta. Ga. |
| Justin Street |
LeMoyne-Owen |
Senior |
Forward |
Memphis, Tenn. |
| Kendarius Ash |
Lane |
Sophomore |
Forward |
Decatur, Ga. |
| Malcolm Smith |
Kentucky State |
Senior |
Guard |
Cincinnati, Ohio |
| Terrance Bridgeman |
Lane |
Senior |
Guard |
South Bend, Ind. |
| Quayshun Hawkins |
Benedict |
Senior |
Guard |
Columbia, S.C. |
| Ryan McNeil-Moses |
Claflin |
Senior |
Forward |
Washington, D.C. |
| Dorian Jordan |
Kentucky State |
Junior |
Guard |
Cincinnati, Ohio |
| Maurice Alexander |
Lane |
Junior |
Guard |
Chicago, Ill. |
| Ayinde Russell |
Morehouse |
Sophomore |
Guard |
Atlanta, Ga. |