Senior Derek Rodgers Recognized, Team Awards Announced at Yearend Banquet

PORTLAND, Ore. --- The University of Portland men’s basketball team gathered for its annual yearend awards banquet on Thursday at the Executive Board Room on campus. In addition to a season review and look-ahead by head coach Eric Reveno, Portland’s coaching staff recognized each player individually and presented them with a class award and other awards that were earned throughout the season. Portland’s lone graduating senior, Derrick Rodgers, also took the microphone and spoke about his time on The Bluff. Below are the team awards that were handed out to close the evening:

Voted on by players…
Team Captains: Ryan Nicholas, Derrick Rodgers
Most Improved Player: Bryce Pressley
Best Defensive Player: Korey Thieleke
Most Inspirational Player: Derrick Rodgers
Most Valuable Player: Ryan Nicholas

Voted on by coaches…
Coaches’ Award: Thomas van der Mars

SEASON SYNOPSIS
• Junior F Ryan Nicholas was named All-West Coast Conference honorable mention after leading the Pilots in scoring (13.0) and rebounding (8.7).
• Nicholas and sophomore C Thomas van der Mars were named to the WCC All-Academic Team, while sophomore C Riley Barker was honorable mention. It marks the second All-Academic honor for Nicholas.
• Nicholas ranked second in the WCC in rebounding, 12th in scoring and 14th in three-point percentage (.378).
• Nicholas posted a 15-point, 19-rebound effort against No. 18 UNLV to become just the second Pilot since 1979 with 19 rebounds.
• van der Mars closed the season by averaging 11.8 points and 7.0 rebounds over the final nine games, including the first two double-doubles of his career.
• Sophomore G Kevin Bailey finished as Portland’s second leading scorer at 11.4 points per game.
• Bailey scored a team season-high 27 points in win over North Florida.
• Sophomore PG David Carr suffered a torn ACL in his right knee in the loss at Pepperdine on Jan. 5 and was lost for the remainder of the season.
• In his 17 starts, Carr posted a team-high 2.1 assist-to-turnover ratio.
• PG Derrick Rodgers, the team’s lone senior, moved into the starting role following Carr’s injury and finished sixth in the WCC during league play at 4.6 assists per game.
• Rodgers dished out a career-high 11 assists in a win over LMU, marking the first 10-assist game by a Pilot since T.J. Campbell had 10 against Northern Colorado in 2010
• Junior G Tanner Riley was a perfect 8-for-8 from the field, including four three-pointers and 3-for-3 at the foul line, to record 23 points in a win over Portland State.
• Junior G Korey Thieleke established career highs in all categories, including 11 points, six rebounds, three assists, four blocked shots and four steals at New Mexico.
• Sophomore C Riley Barker led the team and finished fourth in the WCC with 36 blocked shots (36).
• Freshman G Bryce Pressley started the final nine games of the season and recorded a season-high of six steals at Santa Clara.