Denzel Dillingham Wins SIAC Player Of The Year

ATLANTA – The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference announced its 2015 All SIAC Men’s Basketball Team with Denzel Dillingham (Paine), Jerry Hampton (LeMoyne-Owen) and Tyrius Walker (Morehouse) highlighting the postseason honors.

Voted on by the league’s head coaches, Dillingham was selected SIAC Player and Newcomer of the Year, Hampton received the defensive award, and Walker was named the SIAC’s top freshman. Paine College head coach Jimmy Link garnered SIAC Coach of the Year award.

With one game left on the year, Dillingham shares the league’s top spot in scoring currently averaging 20.4 points per game. He leads the SIAC in three-point shooting connecting 44 percent from long range.

He helped guide PC (21-5, 16-2) to a 13-game win streak including victories in 20 of its last 22 games. He led the Lions in scoring in 18 games amassing 20 or more points in 14 contests. He tallied 30-plus points on three occassion in cluding a season high 34 points at LeMoyne-Owen during the Lions’ streak.

Hampton led the SIAC in blocks with 2.7 per game and ranked second in defensive rebounds with 5.5 per contest. He posted a season high six block shots in one game lead LOC (14-13, 10-8) in the category in 22 games. He closed out the season averaging 11.6 points and 8.0 rebounds per game for the Magicians.

Walker led Morehouse (15-10, 13-5) in nine categories including scoring (14.2 ppg), assists (2.8 apg) and steals (1.3 spg). He led the Maroon Tigers in points scored in 12 games notching 20-plus in six contests. He tied a season high 24 points in three games and has led MHC in scoring three consecutive games including six of its last seven.

Link powered the Lions to a eastern division title while currently riding a 21-5 overall record with a 16-2 post in SIAC play. The Lions picked up their first 20-win season since 2006 after finishing the year with a 20-9 record. The Lions lead the league in several team categories. PC ranks first in the SIAC in scoring (81.0 ppg), scoring margin (6.5), field goal percentage (.481), three-point percentage (.368), rebounding margin (4.9), assists (14.6), and defensive rebounds (699).

In addition to their individual accolades, Dillingham and Walker garnered All SIAC honors joining Terrance Bridgeman (Lane), Rodnerius Lewis (Stillman), David Alexander (Tuskegee), Tyrone Brown (Morehouse), Donald Stewart (Lane), Arnis Libazs (Paine), Maiscei Grier (Miles) and Markeith Madison (Stillman).

Hampton received SIAC honorable mentions which include: Ulysses Thomas III (Kentucky State), Adolph Caldwell (Claflin), Daequan Mitchell-Fields (LeMoyne-Owen) and Brennan Reynard (Benedict).