2021-22 MBWA awards ballot

After one of the more successful local college basketball campaigns has come to a close, the transition process from March Madness to the offseason begins as it usually does around these parts, with the announcement of the annual Metropolitan Basketball Writers’ Association awards.

The honors will be passed out at the Westchester Marriott on April 25, the first in-person gathering since 2019, and it was my pleasure and privilege to once again cast a vote for this year’s recipients, which will be broken down in the traditional manner of six on the first team and five apiece on the second and third teams once again, returning to normal after last year’s streamlined, two-team format with seven players each. This year marked a milestone for me in doing so, as I was proud to submit my tenth ballot in contributing to the cause.

As I always do and will again, I will reveal my ballot both in the space below and on Twitter so that you can all see and interact with it. Without any further ado:

Lt. Frank J. Haggerty Award: Aaron Estrada, Hofstra (18.5 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 5.0 APG, 1.5 SPG) (Photo by Bob Dea/Daly Dose Of Hoops)

Each of the three high-major teams in the area had a player step up at various points this season, a fact that will not go unnoticed on the ballots of most of my colleagues. None, however, left as strong an impression as consistently as Estrada in his first year on Long Island. The former MAAC Rookie of the Year blossomed in Speedy Claxton’s offense, taking the reins and easing the pressure on senior Jalen Ray while developing a near-automatic mid-range jumper to go with his already lethal 3-point shot, while also navigating a backcourt that saw Zach Cooks limited at multiple points during the season due to injury and raising his game with an average of 22.2 points per game in CAA action. Deservedly the Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year, Estrada was most valuable to Hofstra as the Pride won 21 games this season, and arguably the most vital to his team’s success. Should he win the Haggerty Award, the junior would be Hofstra’s first recipient since Charles Jenkins won the last of his three straight in 2011, and the first mid-major winner since Momo Jones brought the honor of best player in the area back to Iona in 2013.

Also considered: Ron Harper, Jr., Rutgers; Julian Champagnie, St. John’s

Rest of All-Met first team, in alphabetical order:

Julian Champagnie, St. John’s

Ron Harper, Jr., Rutgers

KC Ndefo, Saint Peter’s

Jose Perez, Manhattan

Jared Rhoden, Seton Hall

All-Met second team, in alphabetical order:

Posh Alexander, St. John’s

Geo Baker, Rutgers

Tyson Jolly, Iona

Nelly Junior Joseph, Iona

Alex Morales, Wagner

All-Met third team, in alphabetical order:

Daryl Banks III, Saint Peter’s

Ty Flowers, LIU

Chuba Ohams, Fordham

Cliff Omoruyi, Rutgers

George Papas, Monmouth

Honorable mentions, in alphabetical order:

Elijah Joiner, Iona

Walker Miller, Monmouth

Dwight Murray, Jr., Rider

Eral Penn, LIU

Dimencio Vaughn, Rider

Rookie of the Year: Jao Ituka, Marist (15.3 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 1.6 APG) (Photo by Bob Dea/Daly Dose Of Hoops)

Ituka had the most productive freshman season in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference since Jalen Pickett landed first team all-MAAC plaudits in 2018-19. A nine-time rookie of the week and second team all-conference selection, Ituka was the driving force behind the Red Foxes surging in the middle of the league season to win six straight games and contend for a second straight top-five finish in the MAAC before being swept in the season-ending road trip to Canisius and Niagara. Ituka entered the transfer portal following the MAAC tournament, but will be an asset to whomever is fortunate to land his services and skill set.

Also considered: Walter Clayton, Jr., Iona; Anquan Hill, FDU 

Peter A. Carlesimo Coach of the Year Award: Shaheen Holloway, Saint Peter’s (Photo by Bob Dea/Daly Dose Of Hoops)

The historic run on which Holloway guided Saint Peter’s merely confirmed what those in the area already knew long before the Peacocks became the first No. 15 seed to reach a regional final in the NCAA Tournament, that his ability to adjust on the fly in game situations and connect to his players in such a way that there is little to no dropoff in the team’s energy level is unparalleled. Holloway now sets his sights on upholding the standard cultivated at Seton Hall as he replaces Kevin Willard at his alma mater, but not before racking up one more accolade from a truly elite body of work.

Also considered: Steve Pikiell, Rutgers; Kevin Willard, Seton Hall