WASHINGTON – The American University men's basketball team announced on Friday afternoon that seniors Matt Rogers, Lincoln Ball and Colin Smalls are planning to return for the 2024-25 season, using their fifth year of eligibility.
 
"Our very first core value is 'character,' and these are high-character guys," head coach Duane Simpkins said. "They're really good players, but they're even better people.
 
"We built a solid foundation last year (Simpkins' first season with the program), and in order to take the next step, you need to have guys who are high-character, good players. To be able to have these guys back for their fifth year of college and their second year with me is going to be tremendous for our program."
 
Rogers led the Eagles in scoring with 16.4 points per game, adding 6.2 rebounds per game. He earned First-Team All-Patriot League honors, NABC All-District Second Team honors and Patriot League Academic All-League honors in addition to being named Patriot League Player of the Week twice this season.
 
Ball started all 32 games for American this season, leading the Eagles in rebounds with 6.3 boards per game. He scored more points than in his first three college seasons combined and was selected to the CSC Academic All-District team.
 
Smalls, who missed a significant portion of the season with a knee injury, has averaged 8.1 points and 2.1 rebounds per game over his career at American. A two-time Patriot League Honor Roll selection, Smalls led the Eagles with 16 points, making all four of his three-point attempts, in a home win against Army this season.

"We're super excited that these guys decided to trust us as a program and as a coaching staff to come back and give it one more run at a Patriot League championship," Simpkins said.
 
All three players will be graduating in May with degrees in Business Administration, as they begin pursuing their graduate degrees at American University.
 
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