UST Men's Basketball cluttered the 2021 All-SCAC team, placing five members on either second-team, third-team or honorable mention. Co-Coach of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year were also awarded to the Celts.
Head Coach Anthony Medina was named Co-Coach of the Year, alongside Trinity University's Jimmy Smith. Medina led the Celts to a 7-3 conference record which landed them the No. 2 seed in the SCAC Basketball Championships. With Medina at the helm, UST has the number one offense in the conference and are competing for their second consecutive SCAC title.
Cameron Gims, a junior forward from Cypress, Texas was named the SCAC Defensive Player of the Year; this is the second year in a row Gims has tabbed these honors. He made his case as one of the best defenders in the league by averaging nearly two blocks and two steals a game. Gims recorded multiple blocks and steals in every game this season except one and also was top 10 in the conference in rebounding, grabbing 7.7 boards a game.
Adam Kanafani, freshman forward from Houston, Texas earned SCAC Newcomer of the Year. Kanafani was a catalyst to the Celts success as he led the team in scoring and rebounding in just his first year. He also ranks top 10 in scoring and top 5 in rebounding in the entire conference. Kanafani was a force inside and out shooting nearly 50% from the field and 33% from behind the arc. Thus far, he is averaging 14.1 points per game and 8.8 rebounds a game.
Gims and Kanafani are joined by Juan Hood on the All-SCAC Second team. Hood, a junior point guard from Magnolia, Texas led the team in assists and was second in scoring average with 13.3 points per game. Hood was an integral part in making the Celts offense click but could also light it up when needed. He shot 35.7% from three and had a season-high 27 points and eight rebounds in a victory over Schreiner.
Junior guard, Christian Alaekwe was named to the All SCAC Third team. The high-flyer from Fresno, Texas consistently preformed for the Celts this season. With averaging an impressive 11.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, one steal and one block, Alaekwe impacted games on both ends of the floor.
Sophomore Forward, Joshua Sanchez received All-SCAC Honorable Mention. Sanchez currently is first in the SCAC in field goal percentage shooting an astounding 72.6%. He averages 9.0 per game and is a respected passer around the league. Sanchez, alongside Kanafani have proven to be one of the strongest backcourts in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference.
