DENVER-Tuesday, the Western Athletic Conference conducted its media day for men’s and women’s basketball and released its preseason player of the year projections and all-conference squads.
Utah Valley redshirt sophomore center Fardaws Aimaq was named as the preseason player of the year.
He was joined on the all-conference squad by his teammate, junior guard Trey Woodbury, who achieved second-team honors.
Aimaq averaged 13.9 points and a national-best 15 rebounds per game last season for the Wolverines.
Woodbury averaged 15.6 points and 4 rebounds per game last season for UVU.
The Wolverines and Dixie State, as members of the WAC, both appeared in the media preseason polls.
The Wolverines are selected fifth overall in the conference standings and Dixie State is 12th.
New Mexico State is the favorite to win the conference. The standings are as follows:
- New Mexico State
- Stephen F. Austin
- Grand Canyon
- Abilene Christian
- Utah Valley
- California Baptist
- Sam Houston
- Seattle U.
- Tarleton
- Lamar
- UT Rio Grande Valley
- Dixie State
- Chicago State
Aimaq is joined on the All-WAC preseason first team by
Grand Canyon junior guard Jovan Blacksher (12 points, 5 assists per game last season)
Tarleton senior guard Montre’ Gipson (15.3 points, 3.8 rebounds per game last season)
Stephen F. Austin senior forward Gavin Kensmil (15.9 points, 7.1 rebounds per game last season)
Sam Houston senior guard DeMarkus Lampley (14.6 points, 3.8 rebounds per game last season)
New Mexico State junior guard Jabari Rice (13.2 points, 5.3 rebounds per game last season)
California Baptist junior guard Ty Rowell (15.4 points, 5.8 assists per game last season)
Seattle U. sophomore guard Darrion Trammell (20.4 points per game last season; 86.6 FT percentage)
On the second team, Woodbury is joined by
New Mexico State redshirt junior guard Teddy Allen (16.5 points, 4.7 rebounds per game last season at Nebraska)
New Mexico State redshirt senior forward Johnny McCants (10 points, 6.1 rebounds per game last season)
Abilene Christian senior guard Coryon Mason (10.6 points per game last season)
Abilene Christian senior guard Reggie Miller (6.2 points, 4.6 rebounds per game last season)
California Baptist sophomore guard Reed Nottage (14.4 points, 4.9 rebounds per game last season)
Stephen F. Austin senior guard Roti Ware (12.9 points per game last season)
Grand Canyon graduate guard Holland Woods II (6.7 points per game last season at Arizona State). Woods has played at Portland State and Arizona State previously in his collegiate career.
