Marquette star set to win host of post-season awards
By KEVIN McNAMARA
Tyler Kolek had better buy a roomy trophy case.
The Marquette star won the first of what promises to be a host of post-season awards Tuesday when the Associated Press named him its Big East Player of the Year. The AP vote was determined by 11 media members who cover the conference.
Kolek, who hails from Cumberland, R.I., is the leading candidate to win Big East Player of the Year honors from the conference as well. That award is voted on by the 11 league coaches and announced Wednesday in New York City. Kolek is also one of five finalists for the Bob Cousy Award as the nation’s best point guard.
Here is the Associated Press All-Big East team.
1st TEAM
Guard — Tyler Kolek, Marquette, Jr., 6-3, 190, Cumberland, Rhode Island.
Guard — Souley Boum, Xavier, Gr., 6-3, 175, Oakland, California.
Forward — Bryce Hopkins, Providence, So., 6-7, 220, Oak Park, Illinois.
Forward — Adama Sanogo, Connecticut, Jr., 6-9, 245, Bamako, Mali.
Center — Ryan Kalkbrenner, Creighton, Jr., 7-1, 260, Florissant, Missouri.
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2’nd TEAM
Guard — Kam Jones, Marquette, So., 6-4, 195, Memphis, Tennessee.
Guard — Colby Jones, Xavier, Jr., 6-6, 205, Birmingham, Alabama.
Guard — Jordan Hawkins, Connecticut, So., 6-5, 195, Gaithersburg, Maryland.
Forward — Eric Dixon, Villanova, Jr., 6-8 255, Willow Grove, Pennsylvania.
Center — Joel Soriano, St. John’s, Sr., 6-11, 260, Yonkers, New York.
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Coach of the year — Shaka Smart, Marquette.
Player of the year — Tyler Kolek, Marquette.
Newcomer of the year — Souley Boum, Xavier.
Kolek starred at Cumberland High and the St. George’s School in Newport before enrolling at George Mason for the 2020-21 season. He then transferred to Marquette where he’s been a star in the Big East. Kolek is now one of the more decorated Rhode Island natives to play college basketball in the last 40 years, joining the likes of URI’s Tommy Garrick (West Warwick), UConn’s Tony Robertson (East Providence), PC’s Abdul Abdullah and David Duke (both from Providence) and Florida’s Erik Murphy (South Kingstown).