Nevins Named D3hoops.com East Region's Top Rookie
Utica, N.Y. -- Freshman point guard Aaron Nevins of the Utica College men’s basketball team was named the D3hoops.com East Region Rookie of the Year on Monday. This is the second major post season award for Nevins, as he garnered the conference’s rookie of the year award in late February.
Nevins, a Buffalo, NY native, is the first player since All-American Ray Bryant '07 to earn one of D3hoops.com’s two major post season awards (Rookie of the Year/Player of the Year). Nevins, who was a three-time conference rookie of the week selection, started 24 of 25 games and poured in 224 points, good for an average of 9.0 per game. He also finished in the top-5 in three key Empire 8 statistical categories; assists, assists/turnover ratio, and steals. Nevins totaled a team-best 91 assists and just 61 turnovers on the year, amounting to a 1.5 ratio, all while averaging 1.3 steals per contest.
There were 683 players nominated nationwide, a new high. The ballot was then made available to Sports Information Directors, who voted for a predetermined number of players in their region.
The regional Rookie of the Year award has returned for a fifth season as well, honoring the top freshman in each region, while D3hoops.com also names a regional Coach of the Year.
The Pioneers wrapped up their 2011-12 season with an 8-15 overall record and a 4-8 mark in the E8. Utica will graduate three seniors including German, George Schultz (Ridgefield, NJ), and Marlon Davidson (Jamaica, NY).