BOSTON — One of the league's premier players during 2019-20 was rewarded for his efforts on Friday.
Junior
Elijah Olaniyi led three Stony Brook men's basketball student-athletes on America East all-conference teams.
The Newark, N.J., native earned his first career first-team honor, while classmates
Andrew Garcia and
Jeff Otchere were named to the second team and all-defensive team, respectively.
"Elijah had a great season for us," coach
Geno Ford said. "He is really a self-made player who has worked super hard each offseason to come back a much better player than he was a season before. He is a great competitor and leader for our program."
Olaniyi led Stony Brook offensively this season, pouring in 18.2 points per contest. That output ranks for fourth in the league. He also chipped in 6.4 rebounds per game in 26 appearances.
"Any individual award is honestly gratifying, but I couldn't have done it without the help of my teammates, coaches and family," Olaniyi said. "There's still some season left. Now it's time to bring a championship back to the Island."
Garcia emerged during the conference season, scoring 14 points and grabbing 7.2 rebounds per game in 16 league contests. He scored in double-figures in 12 straight and recorded four double-doubles in America East play to carry the Seawolves to the second seed in the Hercules Tires America East Playoffs.
"I'm absolutely blessed to be honored," Garcia said. "The credit is really do to the coaching staff, Dan [Leonard] and George [Greene], especially, and my teammates. I'll love this group of guys forever. The real season is here. Time to go get what we've worked for since July."
Otchere was named to the all-defensive team for the second consecutive campaign after winning Defensive Player of the Year honors a season ago. He blocked 49 shots, good for second in the league, during the season and led Stony Brook to the second-best defensive efficiency during conference play.
Seeking its second America East Tournament title, Stony Brook hosts the quarterfinal round of the playoffs on Saturday at 7 p.m. against rival and seventh-seed UAlbany.
GET YOUR TICKETS TO THE 2020 HERCULES TIRES AMERICA EAST PLAYOFFS NOW!
