LAFAYETTE – The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns men’s basketball team saw a pair of players earn postseason honors as JaKeenan Gant and Marcus Stroman were named to the 2019 Louisiana Sports Writers Association (LSWA) Men’s College Basketball Team in a release by the organization on Saturday.
The 21-member team was selected by a panel of statewide media members and the state’s basketball sports information directors.
Gant, a 6-foot-8 senior, was a first-team selection with Stroman, a 6-2 guard, named to the third team.
Gant added another honor to an impressive collection of accolades that included being named Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Year, the Lefty Driesell Defensive All-America Team and the Lou Henson Award Watch List.
During the season, Gant averaged 20.5 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.6 blocked shots per game while leading Louisiana to a 19-win season. Gant ranked third in the Sun Belt Conference in scoring, second in field goal percentage and finished as the SBC leader in rebounds, blocked shots and double-doubles (13)
Gant finished the 2018-19 season as the only Division I player to average 20 points, eight rebounds and 2.6 blocks on the season. He scored in double figures in 27 games with 15 games of 20-plus points, including a career-high 45 points against Little Rock on Jan. 3, tying Dwight “Bo” Lamar for the 11th-best scoring performance in school history.
Stroman, who finished as the Sun Belt Conference leader in assists, averaged 11.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, 6.7 assists and 2.1 steals per game while becoming the first Ragin’ Cajuns player to record two seasons with 200 or more assists.
Stroman increased his scoring output after the season-ending injury to fellow senior Malik Marquetti in the non-conference finale. He scored in double figures in 16 games, including five games with 20 points or more.
He scored career-high 26 points in a win over Tulane in the Gulf Coast Showcase and scored 22 points with nine assists in win over ULM.
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2019 LOUISIANA SPORTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL TEAM
FIRST TEAM
JaKeenan Gant, Louisiana – 20.5 ppg., 8.7 rpg., 2.6 blocks; Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year
Jeff Garrett, LSU-Shreveport – 18.8 ppg., 14.1 rpg.; NAIA National Player of the Year
Moses Greenwood, Southeastern La. – 17.2 ppg., 7.5 rpg; first-team All-Southland Conference
Daishon Smith, ULM – 21.3 ppg., 4.5 rpg., 3.9 apg; Sun Belt Newcomer of the Year
Tremont Waters, LSU – 15.1 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 5.9 apg, 3.0 spg; honorable mention AP All-America
SECOND TEAM
DaQuan Bracey, Louisiana Tech – 15.5 ppg., 4.0 apg., 3.2 rpg., 1.3 spg.
Caleb Daniels, Tulane – 16.9 ppg., 5.3 rpg., 3.3 apg.
Ishmael Lane, Northwestern State – 13.8 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 2.2 blocks; Southland Defensive Player of the Year
Skylar Mays, LSU – 13.4 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 2.2 apg.; second-team All-SEC
Naz Reid, LSU – 13.7 ppg, 7.2 rpg.; SEC All-Freshman team
THIRD TEAM
Myles Burns, Loyola-New Orleans – 16.0 ppg., 9.3 rpg., 1.8 apg.; SSAC Defensive Player of the Year
William Claiborne, LSU-Alexandria – 14.6 ppg., 7.9 rpg., NAIA first-team All-America
Marcus Stroman, Louisiana – 11.3 ppg., 4.4 rpg., 6.5 apg., 2.1 spg.
Marlain Veal, Southeastern La. – 15.9 ppg., 4.5 apg., 1.8 steals; first-team All-Southland
Zach Wrightsil, Loyola-New Orleans – 18.8 ppg., 8.4 rpg., 4.2 apg.; SSAC Freshman of the Year
HONORABLE MENTION
Ezekiel Charles, New Orleans; Michael Ertel, ULM; Jeremiah Jefferson, Nicholls; Eric Parrish, Bossier Parish CC; Javonte Smart, LSU; Ivy Smith, Grambling.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Tremont Waters, LSU
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR: Daishon Smith, ULM
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR: Naz Reid, LSU
COACH OF THE YEAR: Larry Cordaro, LSU-Alexandria
