NCCU’S BRISCOE VOTED HSRN NATIONAL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Kyle Serba 03/31/09

Eagles Guard Recognized as Top Freshman in Division I Black College Men’s Basketball

HARTLY, Del. – North Carolina Central University freshman guard Jamar Briscoe has been voted the Heritage Sports Radio Network (HSRN) Division I Men's Basketball National Rookie of the Year, as chosen by an internet fan poll at www.HSRN.com. 

Briscoe, a 5-10 native of Baltimore, Md., is the second-leading scoring freshman in the nation, trailing only Seth Curry of Liberty, and became the first freshman in school history to score more than 500 points. 

As a starter in 30 of the team's 31 games as a true freshman, missing one game due to injury, Briscoe led the Eagles in scoring (535 points / 17.8 avg.), assists (79 / 2.6 avg.) and steals (53 / 1.8 avg.).

A three-time HSRN Division I National Player of the Week honoree, Briscoe scored more than 20 points in a game 11 times, including five games with 30 or more. Here are a few of his top performances: 37 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals vs. Longwood (Feb. 28); 28 points, 4 assists, 4 steals at North Carolina State (Feb. 3); 34 points, 3 assists at Duquesne (Dec. 22); 24 points, 3 assists, 2 steals at Arkansas (Dec. 10); 34 points at Longwood (Feb. 25); 32 points vs. Chicago State (Jan. 10); 31 points vs. Chowan (Jan. 17); 19 points at South Carolina (Dec. 16); 18 points at No. 21 Wake Forest (Nov. 14); 18 points at Kansas State (Feb. 17); 28 points vs. Savannah State (Jan. 31); 26 points vs. High Point (Dec. 3). 

On March 18, Briscoe was named the 2008-09 Division I Men's Basketball Newcomer of the Year and was a member of the Division I All-Independent Team (Second Team), as voted upon by Division I independent head coaches and sports information directors. 

The Eagles finished their second year of Division I competition with an overall record of 4-27, including a season-ending victory over rival Winston-Salem State in the MEAC Tournament "Bonus Game" on March 14. 

The Heritage Sports Radio Network (HSRN) National Player and Rookie of the Year fan poll results are final and there were 33,093 total votes cast by fans across the country. Mississippi Valley State fans set the stage with over 11,000 votes for their candidate.

The Award Winners are:

David Holston (Chicago St.) Div. I Men - National Player of the Year

(G, 5’8, 160, Sr., Pontiac, MI) averaged 26 points per game, 6.1 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 2.9 steals. Led the Cougars to their first winning season in 23 years, finishing 19-13. Led the nation (Div. I) in made three-pointers per game with a 4.6 per game average and also finished in the top-five in scoring and steals in the nation. Had 11 games with 30 or more points, including a season high 41 points against Utah Valley (Jan. 29). The final voting results are: Holston – 2,648; Brandon Brooks (Alabama St.) – 1,751; Tywain McKee (Coppin St.) – 90.

Jamar Briscoe (N.C. Central) Div. I Men – National Rookie of the Year

(G, 5’10, 155, Fr., Baltimore, MD) first NCCU freshman to score over 500 points finishing with 535 points. Led the team in scoring averaging 17.8 points per game and assists with 79. Scored a season high 37 points against Longwood (Feb. 28) and averaged 35.5 points per game in their two game week with Longwood. The final voting results are: Briscoe – 960; Rod Melvin (Jackson St.) – 349; Cliff Reed (Bethune Cookman) – 24.

Brittanie Taylor-James (N.C. A&T) Div. I Women – National Player of the Year

(F, 6-0, Sr., Evanston, IL) led the Aggies to the 2009 regular season and MEAC Tournament Championship. She ranked 18th in the nation and led the MEAC in scoring at 19.5 points per game. Also ranked among the top 20 in the MEAC in seven statistical categories and tallied 20 or more points 13 times and also had three 30-plus point performances. Named 2009 MEAC Player of the Year. The final voting results are: Taylor-James – 480; Gaati Werema (Prairie View) – 221.

Kanesha Smith (Mississippi Valley St.) Div. I Women – National Rookie of the Year

(G, 5’9, Fr., Sanhill, MS) averaged 8.4 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. Scored a season high 20 points against Texas El-Paso (Dec. 14). Named SWAC Freshman of the Year. The final voting results are: Smith – 11,223; Sonia Johnson (Delaware St.) – 7,352; Chasidy Williams (N.C. Central) – 3,224.

Anthony Hilliard (Elizabeth City St.) Div. II Men – National Player of the Year

(F, 6’4, Sr., Fayetteville, NC) led the CIAA in scoring (26.3ppg) and rebounding (11.6rpg). Also finished the season ranked 3rd nationally in rebounds and 5th in the nation in scoring. Named CIAA Player of the Year. The final voting results are: Hilliard – 870; Kenny Boyd (Morehouse) – 105.

Kenneth Simmons (Ft. Valley St.) Div. II Men – National Rookie of the Year

(G, 6’3, Fr., Milledgeville, GA) averaged 10.1 points and 2.4 rebounds per game. Shot .427% from the floor and led the team in three points shooting at .375%. Named 2009 SIAC Freshman of the Year. The final voting results are: Simmons – 310; J.C. Chaney (Virginia St.) – 82.