BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Southwestern Athletic Conference unveiled its men’s basketball postseason awards Tuesday morning to cap off the 2015-16 season. All honors including first and second team selections were voted on by the league’s head coaches, sports information directors and selected media members.
Texas Southern center Derrick Griffin was recognized as Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and Newcomer of the Year, while his head coach Mike Davis earned SWAC Coach of the Year honors for the third time in four seasons. Nigel Ribeiro of Grambling State was named Freshman of the Year. [easyazon_infoblock align=”right” cart=”y” identifier=”B008J4CLEW” locale=”US” tag=”hbcusports-20″]
Griffin broke the SWAC single season record for consecutive double-doubles (12) and most in a season (17). The redshirt freshman was the only player in the league to average a double-double throughout conference play with 13.5 points-per-game and 11.3 rebounds-per-game, while also leading the SWAC in blocked shots with 2.3 per contest for a total of 55. Additionally, he is the first player since TSU’s Aaric Murray to be recognized for multiple specialty awards. Murray earned Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2013-14. Griffin accomplished all of this following a stellar football season in which he led the SWAC in touchdown catches (11) landing him a spot on the 2015 All-SWAC Football Team.
Ribeirio finished the season as Grambling State’s second leading scorer averaging 11 points-per-game while leading the team in assists at 2.1 per outing. He scored a career high 28 points earlier in the season against Louisiana Tech.
For the third time in four seasons, TSU head coach Mike Davis earned Coach of the Year honors. Davis led the Tigers to a 17-13 record overall and a 16-2 mark in league play, capturing back to back conference regular season crowns. Davis was voted on as Coach of the Year in 2012 and in 2014.
Joining Griffin on the All-SWAC Men’s Basketball First Team include guards Chris Thomas (Texas Southern) and Jamel Waters (Alabama State) along with forwards Ladarius Tabb (Alabama A&M) and Adrian Rodgers (Southern).
The second team is highlighted by Nick West (Alabama A&M) and Malcolm Riley (Texas Southern) who finished 6th and 7th in scoring overall in the conference at 14.2 and 13.7 points per game respectively.
A complete list of the 2016 SWAC Men’s Basketball postseason awards follows:
FIRST TEAM
Guard – Chris Thomas – Texas Southern
Guard – Jamel Waters – Alabama State
Forward – Ladarius Tabb -Alabama A&M
Forward – Adrian Rodgers – Southern
Center – Derrick Griffin – Texas Southern
SECOND Team
Guard – Tamarcio Wilson – Alcorn State
Guard – Paris Collins – Jackson State
Forward – Malcolm Riley – Texas Southern
Forward – Raeford Worsham – Jackson State
Center – Nick West – Alabama A&M
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Derrick Griffin – Texas Southern
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Derrick Griffin – Texas Southern
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
Derrick Griffin – Texas Southern
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Nigel Ribeiro – Grambling State
COACH OF THE YEAR
Mike Davis
Courtesy: SWAC
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