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Somerset, NJ -- There’s no better season than awards season, and the time has arrived to distribute year-end accolades to the best of the best in NEC hoops.
Headlining the list of 2022-23 NEC men’s basketball elite are a pair of dominant bigs who not only dueled down low, but battled each other tooth-and-nail for the most prestigious individual honor.
When the dust settled, Saint Francis U redshirt junior forward
Josh Cohen (Lincroft, NJ/CBA) and Merrimack senior forward
Jordan Minor (Kingston, MA/Brimmer and May) finished in a dead heat in voting conducted by the league’s head coaches. As a result, the talented duo shared NEC Player of the Year honors.
This marks the first time in 39 years the NEC Player of the Year honor has been split. Back in 1983-84, three players shared the award.
Cohen became the third Red Flash player in five years to and fourth all-time to capture the coveted award, joining Isaiah Blackmon (2019-20), Keith Braxton (2018-19) and NEC Hall of Famer Mike Iuzzolino (1990-91).
Minor made history as the first Merrimack student-athlete to lay claim to the honor, and it came in just the fourth season of NEC membership for the Warriors.
But that wasn’t all for the Merrimack two-way star.
Minor pulled off the rare double when he was also voted the NEC Defensive Player of the Year. In doing so, he joined CCSU’s Rick Mickens (1999-00) and Wagner’s Alex Morales (2021-22) as the lone players in conference annals to capture dual honors.
Even more kudos headed Merrimack’s way as freshman guard
Javon Bennett (Orlando, FL/Trinity Prep) was selected as the NEC Rookie of the Year.
FDU sophomore forward
Ansley Almonor (Spring Valley, NY/St. Joseph Regional (Montvale)) was tabbed the NEC’s Most Improved Player.
After leading the Skyhawks to a second place regular season finish in their first season as an NEC and reclassifying DI member, Stonehill’s
Chris Kraus was voted by his peers as the Jim Phelan Coach of the Year.
The honorees were announced on the eve of the 2023 NEC Men’s Basketball Tournament, which begins with quarterfinal round play at campus sites on Wednesday.
The “Man of 1,000 Post Moves” is an apt description of Cohen’s scoring prowess down on the block, and his unique ability to put the ball in the hoop with either hand while fighting off double and triple teams puts him squarely in the pantheon of the NEC’s greatest interior scorers. A year after his selection as the 2021-22 NEC Most Improved Player, Cohen has led the circuit in scoring all season long while consistently ranking among the top-10 point producers in the country. At 22.0 ppg, the redshirt junior from Lincroft, NJ enters the postseason ranked ninth in DI. He’s the first player in the NEC with a pair of 40-point games in the same season in 18 years, and his 16 games with 20 or more points is tops in the NEC. Cohen is also the league leader (28th nationally) in field goal percentage (.591) and ranks sixth in rebounding (8.1). If his numbers hold up through the postseason, he will become just the second player in the last decade to average at least 22.0 ppg on 59 percent or better accuracy from the field, the other being former Duke star Zion Williamson. Cohen, a five-time NEC Player of the Week who was named to the prestigious Oscar Robertson Trophy Watch List in January, has compiled 1,095 points and 513 rebounds in his three years in Loretto. The first team All-NEC honoree is the 89th player in league history to reach 1,000 points and 500 rebounds in his career.
Competing at an elite level, Minor checked off all the boxes as the franchise player on Merrimack’s regular season championship squad. Thriving offensively as a post threat and pick-and-roll finisher, Minor also dazzled with his high-flying finishes in transition, his ability to dominate the glass, as an elite shot blocker and disruptive force on defense, and as an improved ball distributor. Gaining steam as the year wore on, Minor recorded a league-leading 14 double-doubles in 25 games, a total that ranks him 12th in the country. He also paces the NEC with 9.5 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game, while ranking second in scoring (17.4) and field goal percentage (.519). Minor is the only player in the nation this season who averages at least 17 points, nine rebounds, two blocks and one steal per game. The lone returning NEC all-star this season, Minor has made a steady progression up the All-NEC list, elevating from third team as a sophomore to second team in his junior campaign to first team honors this season. The two-time NEC Player of the Week out of Kingston, MA has moved up to 33rd on the NEC’s career rebounding chart (767) and is 13th all-time in blocks (189). He is one of 27 players in conference history to accumulate at least 1,250 points and 750 boards, and with 11 more blocks would become one of only four players to achieve 1,000 points, 750 rebounds and 200 rejections.
Minor has also anchored an all-time great NEC defense according to the metrics. On the strength of its trademark morphing, swarming zone, Merrimack has registered the best KenPom single-season defensive efficiency (88.2) rating in league history heading into the postseason. Surrounded by a cadre of elite defenders, Minor was able to concentrate on being a rim deterrent, and did so at an elite level. Along with ranking 11th nationally in blocks, he’s 46th in block rate (7.96). Merrimack currently leads the nation in steals per game (11.2), steal percentage (.167) and turnover rate (.264), and ranks sixth in turnovers forced (17.7). In league play, the Warriors finished first in scoring defense (58.6) and three-point defense (,315), and ranked second in defensive field goal percentage (.412).
Almonor made the proverbial leap in his sophomore season, and his elevated play mirrored that of his team. As FDU emerged as a NEC title contender, the Spring Valley, NY native played a key role with his consistent offensive play. After playing sparingly as a freshman, Almonor earned a starting spot and his burgeoning inside-outside game made him an indispensable part of FDU’s high-powered offense. He raised his scoring average from 3.5 ppg a year ago to 13.9 ppg in 2022-23, a figure that ranks him ninth in the NEC. In a nod to his ability to stretch the defense, Almonor shot 39.6 percent from three-point range during league play and sits at 36.9 percent overall on the year. His 2.07 triples per game is the fourth-best mark in the conference. Often pressed into service as the big in the Knights’ small ball attack, Almonor also ranks 12th in the league in rebounding (4.6) and tenth in blocks (0.8). Almonor, who also earned third team All-NEC honors, followed in the footsteps of fellow FDU Most Improved Player winners Earl Potts Jr. (2015-16) and Sidney Sanders Jr. (2013-14).
When combining Bennett’s all-around skill set with his ability to seamlessly fit into - and thrive in - Merrimack’s complex defensive schemes, it’s easy to see why he has Warrior fans making comparisons with another all-time great who made opponents miserable with his ball-hawking ways. In the same mold as former all-time NCAA steals leader Juvaris Hayes, the Orlando, FL product leads the NEC and ranks second in the country with 2.9 steals per game and a 5.7 percent steal rate. Bennett has already broken the NEC freshman record for steals and his 89 swipes is the second-best mark in DI. A four-time NEC Rookie of the Week, Bennett averages 8.8 ppg and his 3.3 apg places him fourth in the conference. Over the last eight games of the regular season, he elevated those numbers to 12.1 ppg, 6.0 apg and 3.3 spg. Bennett is the first Merrimack player to be voted NEC Rookie of the Year.
It was a season to remember for Kraus and company in Stonehill’s first year in both the NEC and as a fledgling DI program. Picked to finish last in the league’s preseason poll wasn’t surprising, but by season’s end, the Skyhawks weren’t sneaking up on anyone. Stonehill immediately turned heads by scoring non-conference wins over Army and Holy Cross, and in dropping a tightly contested setback to Boston College. Once league play hit, the Skyhawks won three of their first four games and never looked back. Sporting a trio of players who would go on to earn All-NEC honors - tied for the most the conference - Stonehill occupied first place throughout most of February before settling for a second place finish and a 10-6 NEC slate. Kraus, who took his alma mater to three NCAA Tournaments and an Elite Eight appearance at the DII level, served as the orchestrator of an experienced squad that could beat you in numerous ways. Stonehill ended the regular season ranked in the NEC top-three in field goal (.441), three-point (.353) and free throw percentage (.758). On the other end, the Skyhawks sit in a virtual tie for first in field goal percentage defense (.427) and rank third in defensive efficiency (95.8).
AWARD WINNER HIGHLIGHTS
Of the 15 All-NEC honorees this year, seven are newcomers to the league.
This year’s All-NEC list features just one repeat honoree, Merrimack senior forward
Jordan Minor (Kingston, MA/Brimmer and May), who is now a three-time All-NEC award winner.
FDU and Stonehill both placed a league-best three student-athletes on All-NEC teams. Each program landed one player apiece on the first, second and third teams.
This marks the first time in program history that FDU had three players named NEC all-stars. Cat-quick graduate student guards
Demetre Roberts (Mount Vernon, NY/Mount Vernon (St. Thomas Aquinas)) and
Grant Singleton (Sumter, SC/Lakewood (St. Thomas Aquinas)) - both of whom previously starred for first year head coach Tobin Anderson at St. Thomas Aquinas - made a huge impact and were tabbed to the first and second teams, respectively. A fierce competitor who is unguardable off the bounce, Roberts leads the NEC with 4.1 apg and ranks third in scoring with 16.8 ppg. Singleton showed off his unlimited range with a league-best 71 triples, and averages 14.6 ppg and 2.0 spg. Sophomore forward
Ansley Almonor (Spring Valley, NY/St. Joseph Regional (Montvale)) added third team recognition to go along with his NEC Most Improved Player honor. Almonor was the lone underclassman voted to an All-Conference squad.
Stonehill set a new conference record for the most All-Conference honorees by a first-year NEC program. The experienced trio of all-stars was headlined by fifth-year senior
Andrew Sims (Mount Laurel, NJ/Lenape Regional), a versatile forward with pristine footwork who flashed his ability to score at all levels. The first team pick ranks sixth in the league in scoring at 15.2 ppg. Classmate
Isaiah Burnett (Annapolis, MD/Glenelg Country School (Navy)) made his name as a defensive menace, utilizing his great anticipation and quickness to rank second in the NEC and fourth nationally with 2.8 spg and earn second team accolades. Sharpshooting graduate student forward
Max Zegarowski (South Hamilton, MA/Tilton School (NH) (Lynn/Franklin Pierce)) stretched defenses all season long, using his quick release and uncanny accuracy to convert 45.6 percent from three-point land during conference play. He ranks second overall at 41.9 percent.
Wagner junior guard and third team honoree
DeLonnie Hunt (Upper Marlboro, MD/Rock Creek Christian) was the 2020-21 NEC Rookie of the Year. He paced a balanced Seahawk scoring attack during the regular season with 11.3 ppg. Teammate
Brandon Brown (Memphis, TN/White Station (Arkansas Pine Bluff)), a transfer from Arkansas Pine Bluff, was a rebounding machine. The 6’5” guard is the league’s second-leading glass sweeper at 9.1 rpg.
Saint Francis U junior swingman
Maxwell Land (Cincinnati, OH/Archbishop Moeller) previously earned All-Rookie accolades back in 2020-21. The sweet shooting southpaw averages 12.5 ppg, ranks ninth on the loop with 5.5 rpg and has drilled 45 three-pointers.
Sacred Heart junior forward
Nico Galette (Rahway, NJ/Rutgers Prep) was a lethal two-way threat who had ice in his veins when it counted most, hitting a series of clutch shots during conference play in nailbiting wins for the Pioneers. The All-NEC first teamer ranks in the NEC top-10 in scoring (15.5), rebounding (6.7), field goal percentage (.454), steals (1.7), blocks (1.0) and double-doubles (four). Teammate
Joey Reilly (Cromwell, CT/East Catholic (Holy Cross)) was one of the NEC’s most improved players in 2022-23, lifting his scoring average from 4.7 ppg to 11.7 ppg, while hitting at a 40.3 percent clip from distance.
Merrimack senior
Ziggy Reid (Baltimore, MD/St. Paul’s School) and CCSU junior
Kellen Amos (Houston, TX/St. John XXIII College Prep (Binghamton)) are the type of skilled and versatile wings that have become invaluable in the modern game. Reid gave Merrimack a strong one-two punch with Jordan Minor, averaging 13.3 ppg to along with 47 trifectas, while Amos simultaneously established himself as a premier aerial artist and lethal long range threat. Amos leads the Blue Devils with 14.1 ppg, ranks fifth in the conference with 2.0 three-pointers per game and tops the NEC with 38 dunks.
Bennett was joined on the All-Rookie team by backcourt mate
Jordan Derkack (Colonia, NY/Colonia (Spire Academy)), a fellow defensive stalwart who ranks third in the NEC with 2.1 spg.
Saint Francis U guard
Landon Moore (Bloomington, IL/Western Reserve Academy) became just the sixth player to earn seven NEC Rookie of the Week honors before suffering an injury in mid-January that cost him the remainder of the regular season. Moore was fantastic over 17 games, contributing 13.5 ppg and 3.7 apg.
A pair of promising players from local rivals rounded out the NEC All-Rookie squad. LIU point guard
R.J. Greene (Bronx, NY/Iona Prep) leads all NEC freshmen with 3.7 apg while bouncy St. Francis Brooklyn guard
Di’Andre Howell-South (Paterson, NJ/Immaculate Conception) came on strong late in the year to earn a starting spot and contribute 6.4 ppg.
2022-23 Northeast Conference Men’s Basketball Award Winners