For the second year in a row, a South Georgia State College men’s basketball player has been named Player of the Year by the coaches of the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association (GCAA).
Tyrone Sam, a 6’6” sophomore from Roswell, Ga., was selected for the honor Feb. 27. Sam averaged 25.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game for the Hawks (24-6, 11-5). He led the GCAA in points scored (752) and led the NJCAA in that category at one point during the season. He ultimately finished second in the nation, 15 points behind the leader.
Sam has signed a letter of intent to play basketball next season for Jacksonville University. He will join former teammates Demontrez Austin and Cody Helgeland in a Dolphins uniform.
Head coach Cory Baldwin is excited for Sam given Sam’s limited playing time last season.
“T-Sam was a guy who played sparingly last year. He worked extremely hard in the off season and is reaping those benefits,” said Baldwin. “In addition, a lot of pressure has been off of him since he committed and signed early, so he was able to just go out and do what was needed for our team.”
Sam was also named first team All-GCAA. Sam’s teammate Andre Elam was an All-GCAA honorable mention selection and a member of the All-Defensive team.
“These are great honors for Andre,” said Baldwin. “He missed all of last season with a broken leg. His work ethic to get back onto the court has been unbelievable.”
The Hawks have clinched the second seed in the upcoming GCAA Conference Tournament and will host a quarterfinal game tomorrow night at 7 p.m. against South Georgia Tech. The teams split their season series with the Hawks winning 71-61 at home Jan. 6. South Georgia Tech won the regular season finale 70-62 Feb. 25 in Americus.
General admission to the quarterfinal game is five dollars with children five and under admitted free.
– Submitted