Beloit College's Azeez Ganiyu named to All-MWC First Team

BELOIT — Beloit College’s Azeez Ganiyu earned a spot on the All-Midwest Conference men’s basketball First Team.

Ganiyu, a 6-foot-5 senior from Beloit Memorial, averaged 14.7 points, 9.1 rebounds and had 50 assists for the Buccaneers. He started all 26 games and converted 52.9 percent of his field goals (129-244) and 64.2 percent of his free throws (113-176).

In MWC play, Ganiyu was ranked second in rebounding and blocked shots and 11th in scoring.

Joining Ganiyu on the First Team are MWC Player of the Year Jake Mazrimas, a senior guard from Illinois College as well as Grinnell freshman Kai Te Huki of Grinnell, the MWC’s Newcomer of the Year. Rounding out the six players on the First Team are Cornell College junior Jayden Meeker, Ripon College junior Luke Meinholz and IC junior Buzz Ritzel.

Mazrimas led the league in rebounding, averaging 9.3 per game while leading the MWC champion Blueboys in scoring with 18.1 points per game in MWC play on .485 percent shooting from the field and dishing out 2.8 assists per game.

Grinnell’s David Arseneault Jr. was named Coach of the Year by his peers and Te Huki started all 16 MWC games for Grinnell and led the league in scoring, averaging 25.8 points per game. He had a league-best 68 three-pointers and 97 free throws.

The All-MWC Second Team includes Illinois College senior Nestor Daboin, Knox College junior Sean Gallery, Grinnell freshman Gabe Garcia, Cornell junior Zach Ingle, Lake Forest junior Alex Knight and Monmouth sophomore Turner Plumer.

Lawrence University received the men’s basketball team sportsmanship award, presented to the team that displays the highest ideals of sportsmanship in the league.

• FINAL MWC STANDINGS: Illinois College 13-4, 23-4; Grinnell 12-4, 19-7; Beloit College 9-7, 16-10; Ripon 9-7, 11-15; Monmouth 7-9, 13-12; Lake Forest 7-9, 9-16; Knox 6-10, 13-12; Cornell 6-10, 9-16; Lawrence 3-13, 5-20.