Southwestern Athletic Conference

March 11, 2003

Gregory Burks, a 5-10 senior guard, who helped lead the Panthers of Prairie View A&M to their first regular season conference title in forty-one years, has been voted Player of the Year in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. Teammate Malachi Thurston was tabbed SWAC Newcomer of the Year. Grambling State teammates Brion Rush and William McDonald were named Freshman of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year respectively. The 2002-03 All-SWAC Basketball team is selected in voting by the head coaches and sports information directors of the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

Burks, a native of Flint, Michigan, ranked first in SWAC scoring (18.5 ppg), second in FT% (82.2), third in steals (1.81) and fourth in assists (4.44). He is joined on the first team by Texas Southern guard Ra’Kim Hollis (18.4 ppg), Mississippi Valley State forward Attarrius Norwood 16.9 ppg), Grambling State’s forward Paul Haynes (17.7 ppg, 7.0 rpg) and GSU center William McDonald (8.3 rpg, 2.86 blks).

The All-SWAC second team consists of guards Malcolm Campbell (Alabama State), Brion Rush (Grambling State), forwards Peter Cipriano (Southern), Malachi Thurston (Prairie View) and center Roderick Riley (Prairie View). Eight players were selected as Honorable Mention All-SWAC.

Overall, Grambling State had five players honored (2 first team), as did Prairie View (1 first team).Mississippi Valley State players earned three spots (1 first team) followed by Texas Southern (2), Southern (2) and Jackson State (2). Alabama State, Alcorn State and Ark.-Pine Bluff had one player each.

The All-SWAC players will be presented with their awards at the SWAC Awards Banquet on Thursday, March 13th, in Birmingham, Alabama at The Harbert Center. The banquet is held as part of the activities as a prelude to the SWAC Basketball Tournament, March 14-15.

2002-03 Men’s All-SWAC Basketball Team
(as voted by SWAC coaches and sports information directors)

First Team
G-Ra'Kim Hollis (Texas Southern) 6-2, 185, Sr., Tyler, TX
G-Gregory Burks (Prairie View A&M) 5-10, 161, Sr., Flint, MI
F-Attarrius Norwood,(Miss. Valley State) 6-8, 230, Jr., Crystal Springs, MS
F-Paul Haynes (Grambling State) 6-6, 195, Jr., Auburn Hills, MI
C-William McDonald (Grambling State) 6-9, 220, Sr., Pontiac, MI

Second Team
G-Malcom Campbell (Alabama State) 5-10, 155, Jr., Kansas City, KS
G-Brion Rush (Grambling State) 6-1, 175, Fr., Shreveport, LA
F-Peter Cipriano (Southern) 6-9, 225, So., Jersey City, NJ
F-Malachi Thurston (Prairie View A&M) 6-6, 190, Jr., Oakland, CA
C-Roderick Riley (Prairie View A&M) 6-11, 327, Jr., Beaumont, TX

Newcomer of the Year
Malachi Thurston, (Prairie View A&M) F, 6-6, 190, Jr., Oakland, CA

Freshman of the Year
Brion Rush (Grambling State) G, 6-1, 175, Shreveport, LA

Defensive Player of the Year
William McDonald (Grambling State) C, 6-9, 220, Sr., Pontiac, MI

Player of the Year
Gregory Burks (Prairie View A&M) G, 5-10, 161, Sr., Flint, MI

Honorable Mention
Tim Henderson G- Jackson State; Ashley Robinson G-Miss. Valley State, Allan Lovett G- Texas Southern, Brian Jackson F-Alcorn State, Cliff Walker F-Jackson State, Kory McKee F-Ark.Pine Bluff, D'Jamel Jackson F-Miss. Valley State, Jerrid Campbell C-Southern