""Jet" soars to NEC Rookie award
for those who have been worried..he said he's not leaving MU....
By TONY GRAHAM
STAFF WRITER
A despondent Jhamar Youngblood got some good news Wednesday.
Depressed that his Monmouth University men's basketball team failed to qualify for the 2007 Northeast Conference Tournament, the NEC announced Wednesday the freshman was selected 2006-2007 Rookie of the Year in a vote conducted by the league's head coaches.
Since Monmouth turned Division I in 1984 Youngblood becomes only the third Hawk so honored, joining Alpha Bangura (1998-99) and Alex Blackwell (1989-90).
""The past few days have been frustrating knowing we didn't make the NECTournament,'' said Youngblood, a graduate of 2006 NJSIAA Tournament of Champions winner St. Patrick's of Elizabeth.
""Even though I am upset about that I feel this is a shining moment in my life that will cheer me up a little bit,''said Youngblood.
""It's great for him,'' said Monmouth coach Dave Calloway. ""He told me that while it's nice, he'd still much rather win.
""I liked that attitude. Hopefully, from his stand point, he'll continue to work hard and eventually became an All-League player.''
The 6-1, 190 pound Youngblood, blessed with a lightning-quick first step and explosive leaping ability, was a three-time NEC Rookie of the Week award winner. He leads all NEC freshman in field goal percentage (.525; sixth overall) and ranks second in steals (1.7 spg; fifth overall) and scoring (12.3 ppg).
Youngblood also went 17-for-33 (.515) from beyond the arc in league play.
Friday vs. Sacred Heart the rookie scored 31 points and grabbed eight rebounds, believed to be the most points by a first year Monmouth player since Rahsaan Johnson poured in 40 in a 2000 NEC Tournament game.
Youngblood said he plans to play this summer in the Jersey Shore Basketball league and is looking ahead to Monmouth's 2007-2008 season.
""I can't be satisfied now,'' he said. ""For next year I want to help us get to the NEC Tournament and the NCAA Tournament also.'' Youngblood scored in double-figures in 20 games and registered his first career double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds in a Feb. 8 win at Wagner.
--------------------------------30-------------------------------30----------------
below from the NEC web site (no other MU player was honored) Howie D. was Coach of the Year. For all the post-season awards please go to the NEC web site
In a year that featured a host of impressive rookie performers throughout the conference, Youngblood established himself as one of the NEC’s future stars. Stepping into a lead role in Monmouth’s backcourt with the graduation of four-year stalwarts Tyler Azzarelli and Chris Kenny, Youngblood earned a starting spot by late December and finished the season as a three-time Choice Hotels/NEC Rookie of the Week award winner.
A lightning quick combo guard, Youngblood leads all NEC freshman in field goal percentage (.525; sixth overall) and ranks second in steals (1.7 spg; fifth overall) and scoring (12.3 ppg). The Newark, NJ native is not only difficult to contain off the dribble and leading the break, but has also showed range on his shot, hitting 17-33 (.515) from beyond the arc in league play.
Youngblood capped his season with a 31-point, eight rebound performance against Sacred Heart on February 23.
The 31 points were the most scored by an NEC freshman since St. Francis (NY)’s John Quintana hit for 31 on February 22, 2003.
By TONY GRAHAM
STAFF WRITER
A despondent Jhamar Youngblood got some good news Wednesday.
Depressed that his Monmouth University men's basketball team failed to qualify for the 2007 Northeast Conference Tournament, the NEC announced Wednesday the freshman was selected 2006-2007 Rookie of the Year in a vote conducted by the league's head coaches.
Since Monmouth turned Division I in 1984 Youngblood becomes only the third Hawk so honored, joining Alpha Bangura (1998-99) and Alex Blackwell (1989-90).
""The past few days have been frustrating knowing we didn't make the NECTournament,'' said Youngblood, a graduate of 2006 NJSIAA Tournament of Champions winner St. Patrick's of Elizabeth.
""Even though I am upset about that I feel this is a shining moment in my life that will cheer me up a little bit,''said Youngblood.
""It's great for him,'' said Monmouth coach Dave Calloway. ""He told me that while it's nice, he'd still much rather win.
""I liked that attitude. Hopefully, from his stand point, he'll continue to work hard and eventually became an All-League player.''
The 6-1, 190 pound Youngblood, blessed with a lightning-quick first step and explosive leaping ability, was a three-time NEC Rookie of the Week award winner. He leads all NEC freshman in field goal percentage (.525; sixth overall) and ranks second in steals (1.7 spg; fifth overall) and scoring (12.3 ppg).
Youngblood also went 17-for-33 (.515) from beyond the arc in league play.
Friday vs. Sacred Heart the rookie scored 31 points and grabbed eight rebounds, believed to be the most points by a first year Monmouth player since Rahsaan Johnson poured in 40 in a 2000 NEC Tournament game.
Youngblood said he plans to play this summer in the Jersey Shore Basketball league and is looking ahead to Monmouth's 2007-2008 season.
""I can't be satisfied now,'' he said. ""For next year I want to help us get to the NEC Tournament and the NCAA Tournament also.'' Youngblood scored in double-figures in 20 games and registered his first career double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds in a Feb. 8 win at Wagner.
--------------------------------30-------------------------------30----------------
below from the NEC web site (no other MU player was honored) Howie D. was Coach of the Year. For all the post-season awards please go to the NEC web site
In a year that featured a host of impressive rookie performers throughout the conference, Youngblood established himself as one of the NEC’s future stars. Stepping into a lead role in Monmouth’s backcourt with the graduation of four-year stalwarts Tyler Azzarelli and Chris Kenny, Youngblood earned a starting spot by late December and finished the season as a three-time Choice Hotels/NEC Rookie of the Week award winner.
A lightning quick combo guard, Youngblood leads all NEC freshman in field goal percentage (.525; sixth overall) and ranks second in steals (1.7 spg; fifth overall) and scoring (12.3 ppg). The Newark, NJ native is not only difficult to contain off the dribble and leading the break, but has also showed range on his shot, hitting 17-33 (.515) from beyond the arc in league play.
Youngblood capped his season with a 31-point, eight rebound performance against Sacred Heart on February 23.
The 31 points were the most scored by an NEC freshman since St. Francis (NY)’s John Quintana hit for 31 on February 22, 2003.
posted by Tony Graham at 4:31 PM
9 Comments:
Congratul8tions To Jhamar! Thank You for the exicitement you bring to MU. It has been my pleasure as an MU fan to have you. I look forward to our future together, you - as a player, me - as a fan. Thank You.
This comment has been removed by the author.
Finally....someone congratulates the kid.. I guess everyone is too busy bashing Dave and the seniors to notice his young man who gave EVERYTHING he had this year.....
This is great! Congrats to this young man. This is the brightest spot of an entire season. Well deserved.
I'm very happy for the Jet. Hopefully he will become a leader as a sophomore and develop into one of the best players in the NEC.
Couldn't have happened to a better kid. This young man is the best on and off the court. Everyone has nothing but the best things to say about him. My hat's off to you young fella, keep up the good work. POY 07-08
Great offensive season... just hope the kid learns how to play defense in time for next year.
Alpha Bangura all over again! If this kid was real good, the team would be near the top of the NEC where they should have been, not out of the NEC tournament like a joke. Give me the Kevin Owens, Krays, Kennys, and
I guess a little bit of good news from this season doesn't satisfy everyone. This is the brightest spot we have for next year. I just hope he doesnt have the sophmore slump that a lot of our kids have gone through.
Post a Comment
<< Home