(Peru, Neb.) –The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) announced the 2011 - 12 Division I Men's Basketball All-America Teams on Wednesday. The selections are made by the NAIA Men's Basketball Coaches' Association All-America Committee and comprises a First, Second, Third and Honorable Mention Team. There are ten members on each of the first three All-America teams.
Peru State College (PSC) Bobcat junior, Derrick Williams of
St. Joseph, Mo., was among those receiving honorable mention recognition.
Bobcat head coach Troy Katen was pleased with Derrick's recognition. Katen said, “This is a great honor for Derrick and our program. To be named an All-American at the NAIA D-I level is a great accomplishment considering the unbelievable talent that is represented across the country. Our program and team can take pride in this achievement as well after moving to the Heart of America Athletic Conference and stepping up to the NAIA D-I level this year. This is our first NAIA All-American since 2005 when Myron Jenkins received the honor. Derrick is an exceptional player and we look forward to him having a great senior year next fall and hopefully improving this honor.”
Williams had previously earned Heart of America Athletic Conference First Team honors, which allowed him to be considered for NAIA honors. This was the third straight year Williams had earned first team designation having previously been honored twice in PSC's previous conference, the Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference.
Nationally, Williams finished ranked 18
th in points per game averaging 19.59 points per game and 32nd in total scoring with 529 points.
In the HAAC, Williams finished as the conference's leading scorer. In other HAAC categories, Williams finished second in total scoring (529); fourth in field goal percentage (.449); tied for fourth in double doubles (4); 12
th in free throw percentage (.661); 12
th in defensive rebounds per game (3.70); tied for 13
th in total steals (34); 14
th in steals per game (1.26); 15
th in rebounds per game (5.26); 18
th in total rebounds (142); and 18
th in offensive rebounds per game (1.56).
Williams was very surprised with the honor. Former Bobcat assistant Jeremy Esry, now a coach at Central Methodist University, was the first to tell him. Williams said, “It is a great accomplishment for anyone and I was very shocked initially. This just makes me want to work even harder next year to not only improve my skills, but to help the Bobcat team as a whole.”
