By Harry Allison
National champion Villanova captured several honors at yesterday’s Big 5 banquet:
Jalen Brunson and head coach Jay Wright won Player of the Year and Coach of the Year honors respectively. Brunson was the Big 5 Scholar Athlete of the Year, too. And Omari Spellman was named Big 5 Rookie of the Year and Eric Paschall was selected as the Big 5’s Most Improved Player of the Year.
Here’s the list of the men’s basketball award winners:
Player of the Year — Jalen Brunson, Villanova
Rookie of the Year — Omari Spellman, Villanova (redshirt freshman, forward)
Coach of the Year — Jay Wright, Villanova
Team Champions — Villanova Wildcats
Most Improved Player — Eric Paschall, Villanova (junior, forward)
Scholar Athlete of the Year — Jalen Brunson, Villanova
Leading Scorer — B.J. Johnson, La Salle (senior, guard/forward)
Leading Free Throw Shooter — B.J. Johnson, La Salle (senior, guard/forward)
All-Big 5 first team — Mikal Bridges, Villanova; Jalen Brunson, Villanova;Donte DiVincenzo, Villanova; B.J. Johnson, La Salle; Omari Spellman, Villanova.
All-Big 5 second team — Ryan Betley, Penn; AJ Brodeur, Penn; James Demery, Saint Joseph’s; Shavar Newkirk, Saint Joseph’s; Quinton Rose, Temple
Here’s the list of the women’s basketball award winners:
Player of the Year — Tanaya Atkinson, Temple (senior, guard)
Rookie of the Year — Eleah Parker, Penn (freshman, center)
Coach of the Year — Harry Perretta, Villanova
Team Co-Champions — Penn Quakers & Villanova Wildcats
Most Improved Player — Kelly Jekot, Villanova (sophomore, guard)
Scholar Athlete of the Year — Sarah Veileux, Saint Joseph’s (junior, guard)
Leading Scorer — Tanaya Atkinson, Temple (senior, guard)
Leading Free Throw Shooter — Chelsea Woods, Saint Joseph’s (senior, guard/forward)
All-Big 5 first team — Tanaya Atkinson, Temple; Amy Griffin, La Salle; Alex Louin, Villanova; Michelle Nwokedi, Penn; Chelsea Woods, Saint Joseph’s
All-Big 5 second team — Mary Gedaka, Villanova; Adrianna Hahn, Villanova; Kelly Jekot, Villanova; Eleah Parker, Penn; Anna Ross, Penn; Sarah Veilleux, saint Joseph’s.
