NORFOLK, Va., October 16, 2014 - James "J-Byrd" Daniel was selected as the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) men's basketball Preseason Player of the Year the conference announced on Thursday. The awards are voted on by the conference's head men's basketball coaches and sports information directors.
A 5-11 sophomore from Hampton, VA, Daniel led the MEAC in scoring last year, averaging 21.0 points per game in 28 outings, 11th best in the nation. He reached in double figures in every regular season game and topped the conference in made 3-pointers (88) and finished second in 3-point field goal percentage, hitting 40-percent of his attempts. Daniel's posted 20 or more points in 12 games, including 30+ point outings in four games. He earned nine Rookie of the Week honors last year and was named the MEAC's Rookie of the Year. He was also selected to the All-MEAC third team.
"When I took the job, I said that in order to move the program forward, we needed to recruit Player of the Year and all-conference level players," said Howard head coach Kevin Nickelberry. "Our staff has done a great job in helping us reach that goal in identifying student athletes that fit that criteria. I am proud of all that J-Byrd has accomplished during his short time at Howard and he is the epitome of what hard works does for you."
Daniel becomes the first Howard player to be named the Pre-season Player of the Year in over 30 years. His scoring average last season is the second highest among former Bison players.
Also receiving honors was Prince Okoroh as he was selected second team. But Okorok fractured his foot and is out for the season. The senior guard/forward finished second on the team in scoring while leading the team in rebounds and assists.
"Prince gets voted to the second team but he will not be able to play this season due to the injury," noted Nickelberry of his team captain, who scored a career-high 40 points last season against William
and Mary. "His being selected shows what great character can do for you. I am sure that he is not satisfied and is committed to being a big factor in Howard's resurgence."
North Carolina Central was picked to win the conference, collecting 15 first-place votes and totaled 317 points to take hold of the conference's top spot.
Hampton was predicted to finish second with 304 total points. The Pirates was last year's regular season runners-up and finished with a conference mark of 13-3 and an overall record of 18-13. Morgan State was selected to finish third, while Norfolk State received the fourth place spot. Delaware State was selected to finish fifth with Coppin State at sixth place.
Savannah State (7th), Howard (8th), North Carolina A&T (9th), Bethune-Cookman(10th), Maryland Eastern Shore (11th), South Carolina State (12th), and Florida A&M (13th) round out the 2014-15 preseason poll.
Joining Daniel's on the Preseason All-MEAC First Team are Deron Powers (Hampton), Taariq Cephas (Coppin State), Jordan Parks (N.C. Central), and Kendall Gray (Delaware State).
The 2014-15 MEAC men's basketball regular season tips off Friday, November 14 with 10 teams in non-conference action.
The 2014-15 MEAC Basketball Tournament is slated for March 9-14 at the Norfolk Scope Arena in Norfolk, Va.
2014 MEAC Men's Basketball Predicted Order of Finish
As voted on by the Conference's Head Men's Basketball Coaches and Sports Information Directors
1. North Carolina Central (15) 317 points
2. Hampton (9) 304 points
3. Morgan State 265 points
4. Norfolk State 225 points
5. Delaware State 194 points
6. Coppin State (1) 183 points
7. Savannah State 182 points
8. Howard 170 points
9. North Carolina A&T 153 points
10. Bethune-Cookman 132 points
11. Maryland Eastern Shore 95 points
12. South Carolina State (1) 90 points
13. Florida A&M 56 points
2014-15 Men's Basketball Preseason All-MEAC Teams
As voted on by the Conference's Head Men's Basketball Coaches and Sports Information Directors
Preseason Player of the Year: James Daniel, Howard University
First Team
Name | School | Pos. | Ht. | Wt. | Cl. | Hometown |
Deron Powers | Hampton | G | 5-11 | 165 | So. | Williamsburg, Va. |
| Howard | G | 5-10 | 165 | So. | Hampton, Va. |
Taariq Cephas | Coppin State | G | 5-10 | 165 | Sr. | Bear, Del. |
Jordan Parks | N.C. Central | F | 6-7 | 200 | Sr. | Queens, N.Y |
Kendall Gray | Delaware State | C | 6-10 | 240 | Sr. | Dover, Del. |
Second Team
Name | School | Pos. | Ht. | Wt. | Cl. | Hometown |
Mikel Trapp | Bethune-Cookman | G | 6-2 | 195 | r-Sr. | Blair, S.C. |
Jamel Fuentes | Norfolk State | G | 6-9 | 190 | R-Sr. | Brooklyn, N.Y. |
| Howard | F | 6-5 | 190 | Sr. | Greenbelt, Md. |
Rashid Gaston | Norfolk State | F | 6-9 | 230 | Jr. | Warren, Ohio |
Bryan Akinkugbe | N.C. A&T | C | 6-9 | 225 | Sr. | Bowie Md. |
