MIAMI, Fla. (February 24, 2022) – The Sun Conference announced on Thursday its award winners for the 2021-22 men’s basketball season.
Southeastern’s
Riley Minix was named the Sun Conference Player of the Year. The junior forward averaged a league-best 23.2 points per game and was second in rebounding at 11.1 per game. The Vero Beach native had a conference-best five games with 30 or more points in a game. Minix also connected on 79 3-pointers which was second-most in the league. Minix garnered eight Sun Conference Player of the Week honors – the most by a single player in a season.
Southeastern’s
Joshua Blazquez was named the Sun Conference Freshman of the Year. The first-year Fire finished appeared in 27 games for Southeastern, scoring 100 points while shooting 40.0 percent from the floor. The native of Kissimmee, Florida, dished out 41 assists and record 16 steals in his first year of collegiate play.
Southeastern’s
Kevin Lubbers was named the Sun Conference Rollie Massimino Coach of the Year. In his third season with the Fire, Libbers guided Southeastern to a 12-4 mark in Sun Conference play, earning a share of the regular season crown and the No. 2 seed in this year’s men’s basketball tournament. Ranked No. 18 in the final NAIA Top 25, Southeastern finished the regular season with a 22-6 record – the program’s 19
th 20-win season.
Ave Maria’s
Eric Klekas was named the Sun Conference Champion of Character. The senior guard is on the Campus Ministry leadership team at AMU. He holds a 3.9 GPA in politics, and is a two-time First-Team All-Sun Conference selection. He is involved in various community service projects on campus and in our community. His personal character, self-discipline and commitment spiritually, academically, and athletically is incredible. “I have coached guys who are as committed as him athletically. I have coached guys who are as committed as him academically and I have coached guys who are as committed as him to their faith life,” said Head Coach
Jamon Copeland. “However, I have coached no one close to him in regards to their commitment level to all three aspects of their life.”
2021-22 Sun Conference Men’s Basketball Award Winners
Player of the Year
Riley Minix (JR), F, Southeastern
Freshman of the Year
Joshua Blazquez, G, Southeastern
Rollie Massimino Coach of the Year
Kevin Lubbers, Southeastern
Champion of Character
Eric Klekas (SR), G, Ave Maria
On Wednesday, the 2021-22 All-Sun Conference Teams were announced. Below are this year’s honorees.
2021-22 Men’s Basketball All-Sun Conference Teams
First Team
| Corey Benton |
Florida Memorial |
SR |
Columbus, Ohio |
| Jordan Gorman |
Southeastern |
GS |
Fort Wayne, Indiana |
| Eric Klekas |
Ave Maria |
SR |
Elko, Nevada |
| Daryl Lewis |
Ave Maria |
SR |
Gaithersburg, Maryland |
| Core' von Lott |
Keiser |
JR |
Chicago, Illinois |
| Joseph Martz |
Warner |
JR |
Orlando, Florida |
| Darryl Mercer |
Warner |
JR |
Cleveland, Ohio |
| Riley Minix |
Southeastern |
JR |
Vero Beach, Florida |
| Jonas Parker |
St. Thomas |
SR |
Brooklyn, New York |
| Dwayne Russell |
St. Thomas |
SR |
Jacksonville, Florida |
Second Team
| Jordan Booker |
Thomas |
SR |
Powder Springs, Georgia |
| Antwan Claxton |
Keiser |
SR |
Bronx, New York |
| Chayse Culpepper |
Ave Maria |
FR |
Fort Lauderdale, Florida |
| Brent Holcombe |
Florida Memorial |
GS |
Miami, Florida |
| Reggie Mesidor |
Southeastern |
JR |
Kissimmee, Florida |
| Jaylon Myles |
Webber International |
SR |
Prince George’s County, Maryland |
| Jordon Parks |
Coastal Georgia |
SR |
Montgomery, Alabama |
| Augustus Stone |
St. Thomas |
GS |
Baltimore, Maryland |
| Logan West |
Warner |
FR |
Jacksonville, Florida |
| Chris Whitaker |
St. Thomas |
JR |
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania |
ABOUT THE SUN CONFERENCE
Now entering its 32nd year, The Sun Conference, a 501c3 organization, continues to be one of the most successful intercollegiate athletic conferences in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Under the guidance of Commissioner Dustin Wilke, the league sponsors championships in 19 NAIA sports: Baseball, Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Men’s and Women’s Cross Country, Flag Football, Men’s and Women’s Golf, Men’s and Women’s Indoor Track and Field, Men’s and Women’s Soccer, Softball, Men’s and Women’s Tennis, Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track and Field and Women’s Volleyball. Learn more @thesunconference.com
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