PORT ANGELES — Peninsula College swept the major honors when the 2023 NWAC men’s basketball All-Region awards were released earlier this week.
Sophomore guard Roosevelt Williams Jr. earned North Region Most Valuable Player honors in voting conducted by league coaches.
Williams, an Australian product affectionately known as the Koala Bear, shot a stunning 51 percent on his way to a team-high 18.2 points-per-game average. Williams also averaged 8 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1 steal in 23 contests.
He also earned NWAC men’s basketball Player of the Week honors in early February.
“He’s contributing in every way statistically and in a leadership role,” said head coach Donald Rollman. “He continues to set the standard on and off of the floor.”
Peninsula sophomore forward Malik Jackson earned two honors, making the North Region First Team and the All-Defensive Team.
Jackson put up 12.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.4 blocks per game before he suffered a high ankle sprain late in the regular season. He is not expected to return to the court this season.
Pirates freshman guard Ese Onakpoma earned Defensive Player of the Year honors.
Onakpoma averaged 11.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.6 blocks in 27 appearances, 25 of which were starts.
And Peninsula head coach Donald Rollman was picked as North Region Coach of the Year for guiding the Pirates to the NWAC North Region title and a 25-3 overall record.
Peninsula gets going in the NWAC Tournament on Saturday at noon against host Columbia Basin.
NORTH REGION
Most Valuable Player
Roosevelt Williams Jr., So, Peninsula
Coach of the Year
Donald Rollman, Peninsula
First Team
Malik Jackson, So, Peninsula
Prophet Johnson, Fr, Bellevue
Leon Sayers, So, Everett
Bishop Tosi, So, Bellevue
Elyon Zevenbergen, Fr, Edmonds
Second Team
Bryson Echiverri, So, Edmonds
Chris Lee, So, Edmonds
Josiah Miller, So, Skagit Valley
Jadin Penigar, Fr, Everett
Jalyn Stepney, So, Shoreline
Freshman of the Year
Prophet Johnson, Fr, Bellevue
Defensive Player of the Year
Ese Onakpoma, Fr, Peninsula
All-Defensive Team
Hodges Fleming, So, Skagit Valley
Malik Jackson, So, Peninsula
Josiah Miller, So, Skagit Valley
Tucker Molina, Fr, Everett
Colton Spencer, So, Everett
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Sports reporter/columnist Michael Carman can be contacted at mcarman@peninsuladailynews.com.
