BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Colgate senior guard Jordan Burns collected 2020-21 Patriot League Men’s Basketball Player of the Year presented by PenFed Credit Union when postseason major awards and All-League honors were announced by the League office.
Burns led the Raiders to an 11-1 record, a North Division title and the No. 2 seed in the upcoming 2021 PenFed Credit Union Patriot League Men’s Basketball Championship and is the second player in League history to eclipse 1,600 points and 400 assists, joining 2019-20 Patriot League Player of the Year Sa’eed Nelson of American.
Navy Head Coach Ed DeChellis guided the Mids to the South Division title and their first No. 1 seed in the Patriot League Championship since the 1996-97 season to earn Patriot League Men’s Basketball Coach of the Year honors for the first time.
Army West Point junior guard Josh Caldwell was voted the Patriot League Men’s Basketball Defensive Player of the Year after leading the League with 38 steals. American freshman forward Johnny O’Neil was named the Patriot League Rookie of the Year after leading all League freshmen in scoring (10.6 ppg) and rebounding (6.3 rpg).
The Patriot League major awards and all-League teams are presented by PenFed Credit Union. They were voted on by Patriot League men’s basketball head coaches, who could not vote for their student-athletes or themselves.
2020-21 Patriot League Men’s Basketball Player of the Year
Jordan Burns, Colgate, Sr., G, San Antonio, Texas/John Marshall (The Kent School)
*Burns led the Patriot League in assists (5.6 apg) and finished fifth in scoring (17-1) to help Colgate win its last 10 games on the way to a North Division title and the No. 2 seed in the League championship. He also shot 40 percent (20-for-50) from 3-point range.
*The senior point guard steered a Raiders’ offense that ranked second in NCAA DI in scoring offense (85.7) and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.68), fourth in scoring margin (17.9) and 12th in field goal percentage (49.7).
*Burns became the 24th Patriot League men’s basketball student-athlete to eclipse 1,600 points and 25th to pass 400 assists. He is one of two players in League history to accomplish both.
Colgate Head Coach Matt Langel on Burns: “Jordan is extremely deserving of this award. I’m really happy for him to have been acknowledged by the coaches, especially in his senior campaign. He has had a storybook career at Colgate. He had a Player of the Year type season last year, but he also had other guys on his team who had Player of the Year type seasons. Ultimately, not being recognized with that major award last year, it makes it that much sweeter for him to have earned that accomplishment this year. Most importantly for me, over the course of his four years, we have been in contention for a championship each year. With his style of play and how much we have had the ball in his hands, that’s truly a testament to who he is as a player. Amidst all of the individual accolades and opportunities, it’s the team’s successes that have come first. As enjoyable as it is to coach a guy with Jordan’s talents, it has been just as enjoyable to watch him grow and develop into the young man that he is today.”
Burns on receiving the honor: “I am truly honored to be named the Patriot League Player of the Year. I’m so grateful for my coaching staff putting me in the best position to succeed. I’m also grateful for my teammates who continue to push me to be the best I can be day in and day out. I know this wouldn’t be possible without y’all. Last but not least, I’d like to thank my family, mentors, Colgate University and all who have supported me up until this moment. It took a lot of blood, sweat and tears to get here but I’d do it all over again. I’m beyond blessed to receive this award. Thank you.”
2020-21 Patriot League Men’s Basketball Defensive Player of the Year
Josh Caldwell, Army West Point, Jr., G, Columbia, S.C./Heathwood Hall (USMAPS)
*Caldwell led the Patriot League in steals (38) and ranked 33rd in NCAA DI in steals per game (2.00 spg) in 19 games this season.
*He posted 12 multi-steal games including four in Army West Point’s 75-73 win over Colgate, the Raiders’ lone loss of the season.
*The junior guard was also second on the Black Knights in scoring (11.9 ppg) and third in rebounding (4.6 rpg), while shooting 50.9 percent (89-for-175) from the floor.
Army Head Coach Jimmy Allen on Caldwell: “We are excited to see Josh Caldwell earn the Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year honor as he has worked incredibly hard to become an elite defender. He is terrific at guarding the ball and is able to cover so much ground off the ball due to his athleticism and understanding of the game. His level of toughness and his relentless mindset stand out when watching him play.” – Army West Point Head Coach Jimmy Allen
Caldwell on receiving the honor: “It means a lot to be voted Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year. I want to thank my coaches and teammates for putting me in a position to be successful. This team prides itself on being solid defensively, and me earning this award is a product of our efforts. Guarding one of the opposing team’s best players every week is the ultimate challenge each and every week. I’m excited for what the future has in store for our team.”
2020-21 Patriot League Men’s Basketball Rookie of the Year
Johnny O’Neil, American, Fr., F, Miami Shores, Fla./Chaminade-Madonna
*O’Neil led all Patriot League freshman in scoring (10.6 ppg), rebounding (6.3 rpg) and blocked shots (1.7 bpg), while finishing fourth in 3-point field goal percentage (.405).
*The freshman forward averaged 15.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.5 blocked shots in his first two collegiate-debut-weekend against Navy to earn Patriot League Rookie of the Week honors on Jan. 19.
*He scored in double-figures in five of his seven games played, as the Eagles went 4-3 with O’Neil in the lineup.
American Head Coach Mike Brennan on O’Neil: “Johnny has had a terrific freshman year. As talented of a player as he is, he is an even better kid.”
O’Neil on receiving the honor: “I’m extremely blessed and humbled to receive this recognition. Without my teammates and coaches believing in me, I wouldn’t be receiving this award. I’d like to thank God for helping me to get where I am today and thank my family for supporting me throughout my journey.”
2020-21 Patriot League Men’s Basketball Coach of the Year
Ed DeChellis, Navy
*DeChellis guided Navy to a South Division title and the No. 1 seed in the Patriot League Championship for the first time since the 1996-97 season.
*The Mids possess the League’s best scoring defense (66.5) and top the League in steals (8.1 spg) and turnover margin (+2.8) and offensive rebounding (11.3 orpg), while placing second in rebounding margin (+4.0).
*The veteran head coach led his program to non-League victories over George Washington and Georgetown before going 12-1 in League play.
**DeChellis had previously been named the Big Ten Coach of the Year in 2009 when he was at Penn State and the Southern Conference Coach of the Year twice in 2001 and 2002 when he was at East Tennessee State.
DeChellis on receiving the honor: “I am humbled by this award. It goes without saying I have an outstanding team of talented young men to coach. The credit for this award goes to them, along with assistant coaches Emmett Davis, Drew Gibson, Adam Notteboom and Jon Perry, strength coach Brandon Spayd and athletic trainer Hannah Jaussen, who kept putting us back together during this COVID season. They all did an incredible job, and I am so proud to work with them daily! I accept this award on their behalf.”
2020-21 All-Patriot League Teams
Colgate placed a League-high three student-athletes on the three All-Patriot League squads. Boston University, Holy Cross and Lafayette received two honorees apiece, while American, Army West Point, Bucknell, Lehigh, Loyola Maryland and Navy each had one student-athlete recognized.
Six of the 15 student-athletes selected to one of the three All-Patriot League teams are multi-year honorees, including three on the first team, one on the second team and two on the third team.
Burns and Lafayette senior guard Justin Jaworski (21.0 ppg) made the All-Patriot League First Team, marking the third time both have received All-League honors. Burns made the first-team for the second-consecutive season, while Jaworski was selected to the first-team after receiving second-team honors in 2019-20 and third-team recognition in 2018-19. Navy senior guard Cam Davis (17.1 ppg, 2.7 apg), a second-team honoree last season, claimed a spot on the first team. American senior guard Jamir Harris (20.8 ppg), who is among the NCAA DI leaders in 3-point field goal percentage (.450), and Loyola Maryland sophomore forward Santi Aldama, the League’s leader in scoring (21.4) and rebounding (10.1) also made the first team.
Boston University senior guard Javante McCoy (15.6 ppg), a third-team honoree last year, received a spot on the second-team along with four first-time All-League honorees. Army West Point senior guard Lonnie Grayson (13.4 ppg), Colgate junior guard Nelly Cummings (13.0 ppg), Holy Cross senior guard Austin Butler (16.1 ppg, 8.7 rpg) and Lafayette senior guard E.J. Stephens (16.0 ppg) all earned second-team honors.
Boston University junior forward Walter Whyte (13.2 ppg, 6.8 rpg), and Bucknell senior forward John Meeks (24.5 ppg, 6.3 rpg) highlight the All-Patriot League Third Team, as multi-year honorees. Colgate junior guard Tucker Richardson (11.0 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 4.3 apg), the 2019 Patriot League Rookie of the Year, is joined by Holy Cross junior forward Gerrale Gates (16.4 ppg, 7.6 rpg) and Lehigh senior guard Marques Wilson (15.1 ppg, 2.9 apg) on the third team.
Caldwell highlights the Patriot League All-Defensive Team, along with American senior guard Stacy Beckton Jr. (13.1 ppg, 1.1 spg, 0.7 bpg) and Boston University junior guard Jonas Harper (7.8 ppg, 1.1 spg), who make the squad for the second-consecutive season. Boston University senior Sukhmail Mathon (10.8 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 0.9 bpg) and Navy junior forward Richard Njoku (7.6 ppg, 4.2 rpg) were also voted onto the five-man defensive team.
O’Neil leads the five-member Patriot League All-Rookie Team. Army West Point freshman guard Jalen Rucker (9.5 ppg, 2.6 apg), Colgate freshman center Jeff Woodward (8.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg, .662 FG) Holy Cross freshman guard R.J. Johnson (8.5 ppg, 4.3 apg) and Lafayette freshman Kyle Jenkins (8.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg) were also recognized by the League coaches.
2020-21 Men’s Basketball All-Patriot League Teams and Major Awards
Player of the Year: Jordan Burns, Colgate, Sr., G
Defensive Player of the Year: Josh Caldwell, Army West Point, Jr., G
Rookie of the Year: Johnny O’Neil, American, Fr., F
Coach of the Year: Ed DeChellis, Navy
First-Team All-Patriot League
Jamir Harris, American, Sr., G
Jordan Burns, Colgate, Sr., G
Justin Jaworski, Lafayette, Sr., G
Santi Aldama, Loyola Maryland, So., F
Cam Davis, Navy, Sr., G
Second-Team All-Patriot League
Lonnie Grayson, Army West Point, Sr., G
Javante McCoy, Boston University, Sr., G
Nelly Cummings, Colgate, Jr., G
Austin Butler, Holy Cross, Sr., G
E.J. Stephens, Lafayette, Sr., G
Third-Team All-Patriot League
Walter Whyte, Boston University, Jr. F
John Meeks, Bucknell, Sr., F
Tucker Richardson, Colgate, Jr., G
Gerrale Gates, Holy Cross, Jr., F
Marques Wilson, Lehigh, Sr., G
Patriot League All-Defensive Team
Stacy Beckton Jr., American, Sr., G
Josh Caldwell, Army West Point, Jr. G
Jonas Harper, Boston University, Jr., G
Sukhmail Mathon, Boston University, Sr., F
Richard Njoku, Navy, Jr., F
Patriot League All-Rookie Team
Johnny O’Neil, American, Fr., F
Jalen Rucker, Army West Point, Fr., G
Jeff Woodward, Colgate, Fr., C
R.J. Johnson, Holy Cross, Fr., G
Kyle Jenkins, Lafayette, Fr., F
ABOUT THE PATRIOT LEAGUE
The Patriot League is in its fourth decade of academic and athletic achievement, continually demonstrating that student-athletes can excel at both academics and athletics without sacrificing high standards. The Patriot League’s athletic success is achieved while its member institutions remain committed to its founding principle of admitting and graduating student-athletes that are academically representative of their class. Participation in athletics at Patriot League institutions is viewed as an important component of a well-rounded education.