Oskaloosa–Steven Roundtree (Sr., Jacksonville, Fla., Physical Education) and Brady Burford (Sr., Chicago, Ill., Physical Education) both enjoyed exceptional seasons and were rewarded for their campaigns as the 2015-2016 NAIA Division I Men’s Basketball All-America teams were announced Thursday.
Roundtree was named to the Third Team; 10 players each were honored on the first, second, and third squads. Burford was one of 51 individuals selected to the honorable-mention list.
Deondre McWhorter of Georgetown (Ky.) was named the NABC-NAIA National Player of the Year, while Biola’s Dave Holmquist earned NABC-NAIA Coach of the Year honors. Josh Gamblin of national champion Mid-America Christian (Okla.) was named as the Rawlings-NAIA Coach of the Year.
The Statesmen duo, both of whom were first-team all-Heart of America Athletic Conference performers, becomes the 16th and 17th All-Americans in school history (14 under current coachJohn Henry).
The Heart Newcomer of the Year, Roundtree averaged 16.1 points and 9.3 rebounds per game–both team highs. The senior, who shot 52.4% from the field (35.3% 3-PT) and 72.6% from the line, also tallied 84 assists, a squad-best 57 steals, and 16 blocks. He was in double figures in 32 games this year, including a campaign-high 29 points against Grand View on February 3.
Nationally, Roundtree ranked sixth in total rebounds, 11th in offensive rebounds per game (3.3), 13th in rebounds per game, and 20th in total steals.
Roundtree tied for first on WPU’s single-season list with 226 free-throw attempts and was second with 164 made free throws. His 325 rebounds were fourth, while his 57 thefts tied for 10th as well.
Burford was also impressive in both scoring (16.0 points/game) and rebounding (7.4 rebounds/game). He guided WPU with a 57.1% shooting mark (67.3% FT) in addition to 39 assists, 33 steals, and 23 blocks. The senior reached double figures 31 times this winter, highlighted by a 32-point effort versus Peru State on March 4.
Burford ranked ninth in NAIA Division I in field-goal percentage and 15th with 3.2 offensive rebounds per game.
For the complete list of NAIA Division I All-Americans, click here
Story provided by Wade Steinlage
