J. J. Thomas named Louisiana “Freshman of the Year”

Louisiana's J. J. Thomas, whose play in the second half of the season led Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns to the championship of the Western Division of the Sun Belt Conference by the Louisiana Sportswriters Association.

Thomas was named to the third team and was the only Cajun named to the squad.

Anatoly Bose of Nicholls State was named Player of the Year, Eric Young of LSU-Shreveport was named Newcomer of the Year and McNeese State's coach Dave Simmons was named Coach of the Year.

Adam Prendergast, ULM Media Relations Director, has the story below on behalf of the LSWA.

MONROE, La. -- Nicholls State forward Anatoly Bose has been named the Louisiana Men’s Basketball Player of the Year and McNeese State head coach Dave Simmons has been named the Louisiana Men's Basketball Coach of the Year, the Louisiana Sports Writers Association announced Saturday. The All-Louisiana Team is voted on by media members throughout the state of Louisiana and the nominating schools’ sports information directors.

Bose, a native of Sydney, Australia, finished the regular season ranked ninth in the NCAA after averaging 22.1 points per game in addition to pulling down 5.9 rebounds a game. The senior recorded 20 or more points in 20 of the Colonels 28 games and led Nicholls to its first ever wins over LSU and Tulane.

Simmons, who was also named the Southland Conference and NCBWA District Coach of the Year, guided the Cowboys to their first Southland title in 10 years, a berth in the NIT and a 21-12 overall record.

Louisiana-Lafayette’s J.J. Thomas was named the Louisiana Men's Basketball Freshman of the Year after averaging 11.3 points and 6.2 rebounds per game for the Ragin’ Cajuns. The forward from Opelousas, La., earned second team All-Sun Belt honors and was instrumental in ULL’s 11-game win streak as he averaged 16.1 points and 7.1 rebounds during the streak.

LSU-Shreveport’s Eric Young was named the Louisiana Men's Basketball Newcomer of the Year after he netted 18.0 points a game while pulling down 7.9 rebounds per contest. A first team All-Red River Athletic Conference selection, the Houston, Texas, native finished the season 10^th in the NAIA in scoring and 23^rd in rebounds.

Tulane guard Kendall Timmons, McNeese State forward Pat Richard, Louisiana Tech forward Olu Ashaolu and Loyola forward Ryan Brock joined Bose on the All-Louisiana First Team.

Timmons averaged 17.0 points and 8.3 rebounds for the Green Wave as he earned second team All-Conference USA marks. Richard helped lead the Cowboys to the Southland Conference title as he averaged 15.9 points and 6.4 rebounds per game; he was a first team All-Southland section.

Ashaolu led the Western Athletic Conference and was among the leaders in the NCAA with 16 double-doubles on the season. He finished the season averaging 14.2 points and 9.4 rebounds per game. Brock, the lone non-Division I player on the first team, finished the season ranked fourth in NAIA with his 22.0 points-per-game average. He added 5.1 rebounds and 3.3 assists per contest.

The second team featured Northwestern State frontcourt duo William Mosley (7.9 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 4.9 bpg) and Will Pratt (17.8 ppg, 4.4 rpg), McNeese State guard Diego Kapelan (15.0 ppg, 82 3-FG), New Orleans guard Zach Kinsley (16.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg) and Grambling forward Justin Patton (13.2 ppg, 7.1 rpg).

The third team featured Young, Thomas, LSU-Shreveport forward Derrick Parker (13.2 ppg, 7.1 rpg), ULM guard Fred Brown (13.8 ppg, 2.7 rpg) and Louisiana Tech guard DeAndre Brown (15.8 ppg, 2.5 apg).

All-Louisiana

First Team

Anatoly Bose, Nicholls State, F, Sr., 22.1 ppg, 5.9 rpg

Kendall Timmons, Tulane, G/F, So., 17.0 ppg, 8.3 rpg

Pat Richard, McNeese State, F, Jr., 15.9 ppg, 6.4 rpg

Olu Ashaolu, Louisiana Tech, F, Jr., 14.2 ppg, 9.4 rpg

Ryan Brock, Loyola, F, Sr., 22.0 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 3.3 apg

Second Team

William Mosley, Northwestern State, C, Jr., 7.9 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 4.9 bpg

Will Pratt, Northwestern State, F, Sr., 17.8 ppg, 4.4 rpg

Diego Kapelan, McNeese State, G, Sr., 15.0 ppg

Zach Kinsley, New Orleans, G/F, Jr., 16.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg

Justin Patton, Grambling, 13.2 ppg, 7.1 rpg

Third Team

Eric Young, LSU-Shreveport, G, Sr., 18.0 ppg, 7.9 rpg

J.J. Thomas, Louisiana-Lafayette, F, Fr., 11.3 ppg, 6.2 rpg

Derrick Parker, LSU-Shreveport, F, Jr., 16.2 ppg, 10.9 rpg

Fred Brown, ULM, G, Jr., 13.8 ppg, 2.7 apg

DeAndre Brown, Louisiana Tech, G, Sr., 15.8 ppg, 2.5 apg

Honorable Mention:

P.J. Alawoya (McNeese State), Devon Baker (Northwestern State), Trent Hutchin (SE Louisiana), Brent Leduff (SUNO), Anthony Simmons (Xavier), Tommie Sykes (ULM), Rolston Turner (LSU)

Player of the Year

Anatoly Bose, Nicholls State – 27

Pat Richard, McNeese State – 7

Kendall Timmons, Tulane – 2

Olu Ashaolu, Louisiana Tech – 1

Ryan Brock, Loyola – 1

Newcomer of the Year

Eric Young, LSU-Shreveport – 17

Fred Brown, ULM – 10

Justin Patton, Grambling – 9

Anthony Simmons, Xavier – 2

Freshman of the Year