Men's basketball awards five 'Dogs

Staff Reports

The Collegian

Fresno State men's basketball coach Steve Cleveland expressed his respect for his Bulldogs during the annual awards banquet at the Pardini's Restaurant on Monday night.

Five players were honored for their contributions to a team that finished with a 15-13 overall record and went 8-8 in the Western Athletic Conference.

Forward/guard Ja'Vance Coleman and forward Quinton Hosley, both on the WAC second team, were named the team's MVPs.

Every member of the ’05-’06 Fresno State basketball team is expected to return, with the exception of Coleman. He has declared himself eligible for the NBA draft.

The remaining 11 members of the team, including transfers Dominic McGuire and Justin Loewe, should be ready to go next season.

Ja’Vance Coleman:

Coleman, who also received the Free Throw Champion plaque, led the WAC in 3-pointers made with 95 and averaged 3.39 per game. Coleman also was sixth in the conference in scoring with 17.5 points per game, and he scored in double figures 21 times this season with 14 20-point games.

Quinton Hosley:

Hosley, a transfer from Harlem, was also named to the WAC All-Newcomer Team. He led the Bulldogs in scoring with 18.6 and 9.2 rebounds per game. At the banquet, the junior was also the recipient of the Best Rebounder Award. In addition, he led the league in steals at 2.07 per game.

Dwight O’Neil:

Dwight O'Neil, a sophomore guard, garnered two awards when he was named the team's Best Defensive Player and Most Improved Player awards. He finished the season with by posting double figures in 13 of his last 15 games. During this stretch, he averaged 12.1 points and 5.2 rebounds per game.

Kevin Bell:

Point guard Kevin Bell, who led the conference in assists with 5.89 per game, received the Top Assist Player Award.

Bell was nationally ranked every week in assists per game, finishing at the top of the WAC leader board with an average of 5.89 assists per game.

Turnover ratio was another aspect that Bell excelled in, as he owns a 2.54 assist to turnover ratio.

James Tchana:

James Tchana, a freshman forward from Long Island, N.Y., was named the Student-Athlete of the Year.

He played a season-high 20 minutes against Louisiana Tech. Tchana’s first career block came against Norfolk State.

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