BOSTON – Michael Hagopian of the Suffolk men's basketball team earned a spot on the All-GNAC Second Team, conference officials announced Monday afternoon. Hagopian grabs the distinction for the first time in his career.
The 6-foot-1 guard led the Rams in scoring in 10 of the 26 games played, eight of which were GNAC contests. The Watertown, Massachusetts native started every one of Suffolk's games this season, setting new career highs in points (36), blocks (3), field goals made (12), three-pointers made (6), and free throws made (8).
Hagopian dropped double digits in 26 games with four 20-plus point games and ending the season with seven straight games in double figures.
The standout moment of his sophomore season came with back-to-back 30-plus point performances. He followed up his 34-point outing versus Albertus Magnus Jan. 28 with a 36-point output at Rivier Feb. 1 to be the first player in over a decade to secure two consecutive 30-plus point games. He is the first player in blue-and-gold to accomplish the feat since John Murphy '07 did so at Johnson & Wales (Jan. 17, W, 97-91 2OT) and Daniel Webster (Jan. 20, L, 89-88 OT). Hagopian needed just nearly 30 minutes to notch his 30-plus points, while Murphy racked up 39 and 30, respectively, in double overtime against the Wildcats and one extra session versus the Eagles.
Hagopian, who set the most points by a Ram in the Jeff Juron era with his 34 points versus the AMCATS, displaced his own record just five days later. The 36 points are the most by a Ram since Sam Nwadike'14 recorded 39 in a thrilling 84-82 Suffolk win over Anna Maria Dec. 4, 2014. He was also the first player to record 30 points since Nwadike registered 30 in a 79-64 setback at Emerson Jan. 4, 2015. Hagopian's two 30-plus point games in one season are the most by a Rams since Nwadike matched that number in 2013-14.
Steven DiPrizio, who was sidelined at the midway point of the season due to injury, represented the Rams on the conference's All-Sportsmanship team, which was established to honor one player from each team in the conference for outstanding dedication to sportsmanship and for their portrayal of good sportsmanship, fair play and positive attitude.
As a squad, Suffolk earned distinction as the league's Institutional Sportsmanship Award recipient, marking the first time the Rams took home the honor.
Since joining the GNAC ranks in 2000, Suffolk has earned 21 All-GNAC honors including two Rookies of the Year, 10 first team, 4 second team and five third team selections.
2016-17 ALL-GNAC MEN'S BASKETBALL
Player of the Year – Jaqhawn Walters, Albertus Magnus
Defensive Player of the Year – Jayson Clark, Mount Ida
Rookie of the Year – Mike Rapoza, Anna Maria
Coach of the Year – Benjamin Davis, Mount Ida
Institutional Sportsmanship Award – Suffolk University
First Team
Jaqhawn Walters, Albertus Magnus
Anthony Jernigan, Johnson & Wales
Armin Omanovic, Lasell
John Powell, Lasell
Ethan Dujon, Mount Ida
Second Team
Grant Ellis, Albertus Magnus
Mike Rapoza, Anna Maria
Jarell Lawson, Johnson & Wales
Marc Corey, Saint Joseph's of Maine
Michael Hagopian, Suffolk
Third Team
Devin Coleman, Albertus Magnus
Michael Kiser, Johnson & Wales
Tim Blair, Lasell
Jayson Clark, Mount Ida
Mike Hogervorst, Norwich
All-Sportsmanship Team
Jemma Yuori, Albertus Magnus
David Jean-Louis, Anna Maria
Matt Raine, Emmanuel
Derek McMahon, Lasell
Matt Madoian, Johnson & Wales
Kevin Conner, Mount Ida
Darius Bryant, Norwich
David Lorden, Rivier
John Crawley, Saint Joseph's of Maine
Steven DiPrizio, Suffolk