April 19, 2001

East Rutherford, N.J. - Stony Brook men's basketball player Leon Brisport (Brooklyn, N.Y.) was named to the NIT and Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association second team at the 68th annual Collegiate Awards Presentations Wednesday night. The event was held at the Pegasus West Restaurant at the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, N.J.

The former Erasmus High School standout became the first player in Stony Brook's short Division I history to be recognized by the Met Basketball Writers. Joining Brisport on the second team were Bevon Robin of Fordham, Jason Hernandez of Hofstra, Rahsaan Johnson of Monmouth and Durelle Brown of Manhattan. Norman Richardson of Hofstra won the Haggerty Award, given to the top player in the metropolitan area, after averaging 16.7 points and 7.0 rebounds in leading the Pride to the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive year.

Brisport, a 6-8, 225-pound center, propelled the Seawolves to a remarkable 17-11 record in their second season of Division I competition after SB went 6-23 in 1999-00. He averaged 16.6 points and 8.8 rebounds per game and became only the second player in school history to record over 450 points and 240 rebounds in a single season. Brisport posted 12 double-doubles and scored in double figures in 24 of 28 games while his .574 field goal percentage ranked him 23rd in the nation. In March, he was named to the All-Independent first team.

Brisport was one of many players honored Wednesday evening. All-Met first team selections included Nakeia Miller of Iona, Omar Cook of St. John's, Todd Billet of Rutgers, Eddie Griffin of Seton Hall and Steve Howard of St. Francis (N.Y.). Third team selections included Earl Johnson of Iona, Richy Dominguez of St. Francis (N.Y), Anthony Glover of St. John's, Darius Lane of Seton Hall and Andre Barrett of Seton Hall.

Stony Brook will begin it first season of conference play next year as a member of the America East Conference.