Men's Basketball Awards

Men’s Basketball Awards

The Rider University men’s basketball team recently held its annual Awards Banquet.

The Bronc Backer Award, in appreciation for generous contributions to, and support of, Rider Basketball, was presented to Henry Minarick, the Rider assistant athletic trainer, and Gerald Langan, a member of Friends of Rider Basketball.

The Gilbert P. Rossi Award as the team’s Most Valuable Player went to sophomore Jason Thompson (Mt. Laurel/Lenape). Thompson earned second team All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference honors, averaging a team-high 16.6 points and 8.4 rebounds per game, and compiled 48 blocked shots. Thompson shot 54.6 percent from the field, sixth best in the MAAC, and was second in the conference in blocks, fourth in rebounding and seventh in scoring.

The Coaches’ Award was presented to senior Paul Johnson (Virginia Beach, Va./Salem). Johnson played in all 28 games, starting 27, and was second on the team in rebounding (6.0) and fourth in scoring (7.6) and minutes played (29.8). Johnson was also honored on Rider’s Academic Achievement Night.

The Richard H. Bubacz Memorial Award, presented to the player who best exemplifies leadership, sportsmanship and scholarship, was given to senior Aaron White (Germantown, Md./St. John's Prospect Hall). White played in 24 games this season.

The Rookie of the Year award was presented to freshman Rodney Pierce (Buffalo, N.Y./Hutchinson Tech ), who played in 24 games, starting 10, and compiled 5.1 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists, while averaging 23.5 minutes played per game.

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