MEN'S BASKETBALL: USJ's Jaecee Martin Selected as 2022 GNAC Player of the Year

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WINTHROP, Mass. – Named the GNAC Defensive Player of the Year two years ago prior to the COVID-19 shutdown, University of Saint Joseph (CT) senior guard Jaecee Martin has been voted the 2022 GNAC Player of the Year, as voted upon by the league's head coaches. 

Entering NCAA Tournament play after the Blue Jays captured their second straight GNAC title over the weekend, the All-GNAC First Team selection is averaging 13.0 points, 5.1 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 2.2 steals on the season. The Sacred Heart transfer also took home All-Tournament MVP honors on Sunday after pouring in 31 points (11-16 FG, 9-10 FT) with 13 boards and five assists after USJ's championship victory over rival Albertus Magnus College.

A First Team choice for the second time in his career, Martin was joined on the top squad by senior classmate Jordan Powell, while Lasell University senior EJ Day, Regis College senior Marc Trinidad, and Rivier University senior Miles Gillette also cemented spots among the league's top-five players. 

USJ also had junior Jalen Samuels collect GNAC Defensive Player of the Year honors, while Blue Jays head coach Glen Miller was selected as GNAC Coach of the Year.

Johnson & Wales University sharpshooter Josh Zangerle took home GNAC Rookie of the Year and Second Team accolades, as the first-year averaged 18.0 points and 5.9 rebounds while shooting 42.9% overall and 38.2% from three-point territory, connecting on 63-of-165 from beyond the arc. 

First Team
EJ Day, Lasell
Marc Trinidad, Regis (Mass.)
Miles Gillette, Rivier
Jaecee Martin, St. Joseph (Conn.)
Jordan Powell, St. Joseph (Conn.)

Second Team
Tyreek Perkins, Albertus Magnus
Terry Dawkins, Albertus Magnus
Donte Pope, Emmanuel (Mass.)
Josh Zangerle, Johnson and Wales (RI)
Kevin Nunez, Lasell       

Third Team
Davon Warner, Albertus Magnus       
Ralph Grasso, Jr., Anna Maria
Kevin Vanderhorst, Lasell        
Donovan Lewis Jr., Norwich
Griffin Foley, Saint Joseph's (Me.)

All-Rookie Team
Gabe Armstead, Anna Maria
Kevin Cummings, Colby-Sawyer
Donte Pope, Emmanuel (Mass.)        
Josh Zangerle, Johnson and Wales (RI)
Jalen Olivero, Norwich

PLAYER OF THE YEAR – Jaecee Martin, St. Joseph (Conn.)
DEF. PLAYER OF THE YEAR – Jalen Samuels, St. Joseph (Conn.)
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR – Josh Zangerle, Johnson and Wales (RI)
COACH OF THE YEAR – Glen Miller, St. Joseph (Conn.)
TEAM SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD – Norwich University

All-Sportsmanship Team
Jordan Williams, Albertus Magnus      
Kennedy Minix-Rogers, Anna Maria 
Conor Kelly, Colby-Sawyer
Jared Kelly, Dean 
Tahquell Cadle, Elms      
Ted Weber, Emmanuel 
Bryan Davis, Johnson & Wales
Zach Scott, Lasell 
Samuel-Noah Osarenkhoe, Norwich
Thomas Ahlstrom, Regis 
Jake Sullivan, USJ
Tyler Ricker, Saint Joseph's of Maine

The Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) is an NCAA Division III association made up of 14 member institutions and over 3,500 student-athletes across the New England region. Founded in 1995, the GNAC annually sponsors and administers 22 championships, while balancing academic integrity, athletic opportunity and community involvement in an effort to enhance the student-athlete experience. 

– #TheGNAC –