CENTER VALLEY, Pa. – In a season that has seen
Sa'eed Nelson become American's all-time leading scorer, he can now add a new title to his trophy case: Patriot League Player of the Year.
Nelson is the first AU men's basketball player to be named Patriot League Player of the Year since Derrick Mercer in the 2008-09 season. He was also named First-Team All-Patriot League for the second season in a row, becoming the first Eagle to go back-to-back since Vlad Moldoveanu did in 2010 and 2011.
He paced American by averaging 19.4 points/game, 5.4 rebounds/game, and 5.0 assists/game during league play. His on-court leadership helped guide the Eagles to their most wins in conference play (12), and their highest seed in the league tournament (2), since the 2013-14 season. On defense, Nelson leads the league and ranks third in the nation by averaging 2.75 steals/game.
Joining Nelson on the All-Patriot League teams was
Stacy Beckton Jr., who garnered third-team recognition after breaking out during league play this season. It's the first time in his career that he has earned All-Patriot League honors. Additionally, Beckton Jr. was tabbed as a member of the Patriot League All-Defensive Team, becoming only the second Eagle to earn that distinction, as Charlie Jones earned it in 2017.
Beckton Jr. has started every game for American this season and averaged 10.4 points/game and 4.1 rebounds/game during league play. He shot 33.9 percent from three-point range and was steady at the free-throw line, shooting 81.3 percent from the charity stripe during conference contests. He was a crucial part of American's defense, as he led the team with 28 blocks and ranked third with 37 steals this season.
UP NEXT
- The Eagles will open the Patriot League tournament with a home quarterfinal game on Thursday, March 5.
- American will face the winner of the 7-10 matchup, which features Bucknell and Holy Cross on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. in Lewisburg, Pa.
PL QUARTERFINAL TICKET INFO
- Ticket prices for the quarterfinal game, set by the Patriot League, are $14 for adults and $7 for seniors (65+) and youth (under 13).
- Rates for groups with 10+ are $5 per person and must be purchased in advance through the box office. AU students with valid AU ID will be admitted free of charge.
- Tickets are now on sale via AUeagles.com/Tickets. Fans can also visit the Athletics Ticket Office in person, or call (202) 885-TIXX (8499) Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. to secure their seats.
KEEP UP WITH US
- For the latest on American University Men's Basketball, stay tuned to AUEagles.com and follow the team on Twitter (@AU_MBasketball), Facebook (/AU.MBasketball) and Instagram (@au_mbasketball).
2019-20 Men's Basketball All-Patriot League Team and Major Awards
Player of the Year: Sa'eed Nelson, American, Sr., G
Defensive Player of the Year: Will Rayman, Colgate, Sr., F
Rookie of the Year: Joe Pridgen, Holy Cross, Fr., F
Coach of the Year: Matt Langel, Colgate
First-Team All-Patriot League*
Sa'eed Nelson, American, Sr., G
Tommy Funk, Army West Point, Sr., G
Max Mahoney, Boston University, Sr. F
Will Rayman, Colgate, Sr., F
Jordan Burns, Colgate, Jr., G
Andrew Kostecka, Loyola Maryland Sr., G
Second-Team All-Patriot League
Matt Wilson, Army West Point, Sr., F/C
Walter Whyte, Boston University, So., F
Rapolas Ivanauskas, Colgate, Sr., F
Justin Jaworski, Lafayette, Jr., G
Cam Davis, Navy, Jr., G
Third-Team All-Patriot League*
Javante McCoy, Boston University, Jr., G
John Meeks, Bucknell, Jr., F
Joe Pridgen, Holy Cross, Fr., F
Jordan Cohen, Lehigh, Sr. G
Stacy Beckton Jr., American, Jr., G
*Additional players were selected to the first and third teams due to ties in voting.
Patriot League All-Defensive Team
Stacy Beckton Jr., American, Jr., G
Jonas Harper, Boston University, So., G
Max Mahoney, Boston University, Sr., F
Will Rayman, Colgate, Sr., F
Andrew Kostecka, Loyola Maryland Sr., G
Patriot League All-Rookie Team**
Ethan Brittain-Watts, Boston University, Fr., G
Keegan Records, Colgate, Fr., F
Joe Pridgen, Holy Cross, Fr., F
Leo O'Boyle, Lafayette, Fr., F
Reed Fenton, Lehigh, Fr., G
Santi Aldama, Loyola Maryland, Fr. F
Golden Dike, Loyola Maryland, Fr., F
Cam Spencer, Loyola Maryland, Fr., G
*
*Additional players were selected to the all-rookie team due to ties in voting.
