Sports

LIU’s Olasewere is NEC Player of Year

Several questions arose when LIU Brooklyn lost last year’s Northeast Conference player of the year, Julian Boyd, to a season-ending ACL injury in December,, but fellow forward Jamal Olasewere answered the doubts surrounding the two-time defending NEC champions.

Yesterday, the 6-foot-7 senior was named the conference’s player of the year after averaging 19.2 points, 8.4 rebounds as the Blackbirds (17-13, 12-6) continue their quest for the NEC’s first-ever three-peat. Olasewere is LIU’s seventh player to win the award.

“I couldn’t possibly think of someone more deserving of such an honor,” LIU coach Jack Perri said. “He has been instrumental in the success of our program over the past four years with his passion and enthusiasm for the game. His athleticism for his size is unparalleled and his unique ability to finish around the basket and get fouled makes him a nightmare matchup for any forward in this league. He is a true winner that had a tremendous season and will be nearly impossible to replace once he graduates.”

LIU junior point guard Jason Brickman was named to the second team despite leading the nation in assists (8.5) and shooting a conference-best 45.8 percent on 3-pointers. snubbed in favor of Robert Morris senior Velton Jones, who had his lowest scoring-average (11.3) since his freshman year. Blackbirds senior guard C.J. Garner earned All-NEC Third Team honors, averaging 14.8 points, while freshman forward E.J. Reed was named to the All-NEC Rookie Team.

Wagner junior point guard Kenneth Ortiz picked up his second straight NEC defensive player of the year award, after averaging two steals per game, while teammate Jonathan Williams was named to the second team, averaging 15.2 points and 6.6 rebounds in his final season. St. Francis of Brooklyn sophomore forward Jalen Cannon was also named to the second team, averaging 14.7 points and 8.9 rebounds.

The NEC tournament begins tonight, with No. 3 seed LIU playing host to Quinnipiac, No. 2 Wagner playing No. 7 Central Connecticut State in Staten Island, No. 8 St. Francis traveling to top-seeded Robert Morris and No. 4 Bryant facing No. 5 Mount St. Mary’s.