Saint Augustine’s College swept the CIAA basketball rookie of the year awards Tuesday for the second time in four seasons.Freshman guard Joel Kindred (Raleigh, N.C.) was named the men’s top rookie and freshman center Umeka Benson (Charlotte, N.C.) was voted the women’s best rookie Tuesday by the CIAA-Sports Information Directors Association. The last time a CIAA school produced two rookie of year winners in the same year was 2008 when Allison Sikes (women) and Hayward Fain (men) of Saint Augustine’s College took freshman honors.
Both Kindred and Benson were also named to their respective All-CIAA rookie teams. Redshirt freshman Chris Johnson (Hampton, Va.) of the Falcons joined Kindred on the men’s rookie squad.
Kindred was a unanimous choice for men’s rookie of the year. A 6-foot-4, 185-pound guard, Kindred leads CIAA freshmen in scoring (13.2 ppg) and is also the Falcons’ best rebounder (5.0 rpg). He shoots 44 percent from the floor and has scored in double figures 17 of 25 games including five games of 20 or more points. His play this season was reflected in the voting for CIAA rookie of the week which he won a league-high seven times.
“This is a great honor for Joel, the basketball program, Saint Augustine’s College and the community,” said Ken Spencer, the first-year head men’s coach at Saint Augustine’s College. “He is the type of player I want to bring in. Joel represents the basketball program well on the court, in the classroom and in the community.”
Kindred is the first Falcon to win the honor since Fain in 2008. He played high school ball last season in Raleigh, N.C., at Word of God Academy, which produced NBA rookie standout John Wall. Current Falcon assistant coach Erasto Hatchett was Kindred’s head coach at Word of God.
“I am thankful for winning the award,” Kindred said. “I thank the coaches, my teammates, my brothers and my mom for pushing me.”
Kindred is the younger brother of former Falcon high jump standout Joe Kindred, a track and field All-American and national Division II champion who won national field performer of the year honors. Joel’s brother Jon Kindred (Raleigh, N.C.) also plays for the Falcons’ basketball team.
Benson is the latest Lady Falcon to win the rookie honor since Keyona Bryant (2009) and Sikes (2008), making it three out of four seasons a Lady Falcon has claimed the award. A 6-0 center, Benson leads CIAA freshmen in scoring (10.0 ppg) and ranks second among CIAA rookies in rebounding (8.6 rpg). She debuted with 21 points against Davis & Elkins in the season opener and went on to reach double figures in points 10 times and rebounds eight times. A tenacious and athletic player in the paint, Benson has tallied four double-doubles for the Lady Falcons, who are 17-9 overall and tied for second in the CIAA’s Southern Division with one regular-season game to play.
“I am so excited for Umeka,” said Rachel Bullard, the first-year women’s head coach at Saint Augustine’s College. “She has worked very hard and has grown as a person and player throughout the year. What an awesome honor for her and the team.”
Benson plays her best against top-level competition. She had 10 points and 15 rebounds on Nov. 13, 2010, against West Liberty, currently ranked second in the Atlantic Region. Benson had 16 points and 14 rebounds on Feb. 12 in the first meeting against Johnson C. Smith. In the rematch Monday, Benson put up 12 points and 10 rebounds against JCSU, ranked seventh regionally and 24th nationally. The Lady Falcons won both games against JCSU, which is located in Benson's hometown of Charlotte, N.C.
“I am excited and caught off guard about receiving rookie of the year,” Benson said. “I am grateful to my team because I could not have won this award without them. I give thanks to my family, coaches and Saint Augustine’s College. We are looking forward to the CIAA Tournament.”
Johnson rebounded from knee injury last season to become a contributor for the Falcons. A 6-foot-5, 225-pound forward, Johnson averaged 5.0 points and 3.4 rebounds in 16.7 minutes of action. His rebounding average is fourth-best on the Falcons, and he is the team’s second-best offensive rebounder.
Johnson scored a season-high 14 points in a January win over Shaw. He pulled down 11 rebounds against Armstrong Atlantic State in December 2010.
The rookies of the year and All-CIAA rookie teams will be recognized at the league’s Women’s and Men’s Basketball Tip Off Ceremonies on Feb. 27 and March 1 in Charlotte, N.C.
By Sports Information Office
Saint Augustine's College
2010-2011 Men’s and Women’s Basketball All-Rookie Teams
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| Umeka Benson |
Umeka Benson Saint Augustine's College - CIAA Women's Rookie of the Year
Umeka Benson Saint Augustine's College C 6-0 Charlotte, NC
Alisha Hardley Saint Paul's College F/C 6-0 Stafford, VA
Racquel Davis Johnson C. Smith University F 6-0 Bamberg, Germany
Leslie Slayton Virginia Union University G 5-5 Clinton, MD
Cynthia Johnson Lincoln University (PA) PG 5-7 Randallstown, MD
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| Joel Kindred |
Joel Kindred Saint Augustine's College - CIAA Men's Rookie of the Year
Joel Kindred Saint Augustine's College G 6-4 Raleigh, NC
Chris Johnson Saint Augustine's College G/F 6-5 Hampton, VA
Tyrell Tate Fayetteville State University F 6-5 Raleigh, NC
Rasheem King Bowie State University F 6-4 Brooklyn, NY
James Theus Virginia Union University G 6-4 Portsmouth, VA
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Videographer: UrbanSportsITG
