BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Colgate claimed the top spot in the 2022-23 preseason poll, and Raiders senior guard Tucker Richardson was named the Patriot League Men’s Basketball Preseason Player and Defensive Player of the Year when the League announced preseason honors.
 
The defending champion Raiders received 161 points and 17 first-place votes, with Richardson capturing both preseason major awards. Boston University finished second with 130 points and one first-place vote, while Lehigh was close behind in third place with 128 points and two first-place votes. Last season’s League runner-up, Navy, finished fourth with 121 points, and Army West Point rounded out the top five with 92 points.
 
Loyola Maryland (83), American (68), Bucknell (52), Holy Cross (35) and Lafayette (30) complete the 10-team preseason poll entering the 2022-23 season.
 
Richardson, a first-team All-League selection last season, is joined on the 2022-23 Preseason All-Patriot League Team by two 2021-22 second-team honorees, with Army West Point junior guard Jalen Rucker and Holy Cross senior forward Gerrale Gates. Boston University graduate student forward Walter Whyte and Lehigh senior guard Evan Taylor made the preseason squad after being voted onto the third team last season.
 
The League's men's basketball coaches and sports information directors completed voting for the preseason poll, player of the year and All-Patriot League team. They cannot vote for their team or student-athletes.
 
Patriot League Men’s Basketball Preseason Player and Defensive Player of the Year
Tucker Richardson, Colgate, Sr., G, Flemington, N.J./Blair Academy
*Richardson is a two-time All-Patriot League selection after earning First Team and All-Defensive Team honors following the 2022 season.
*He has helped guide the Raiders to three Patriot League titles in four seasons, helping the team finish 86-34 overall and 54-12 in League play.
*The Flemington, N.J. native is Colgate’s first men’s basketball student-athlete to reach 1,000 points, 500 rebounds and 400 assists. He ranks 87th in League history in scoring (1,259), 46th in rebounding (601) and 22nd in assists (428).
 
2022-23 Men’s Basketball Preseason All-Patriot League Team
Jalen Rucker, Army West Point, Jr., G, Baltimore, Md./Gilman (USMAPS)
2021-22 Stats: 31 GP/30 GS, 17.1 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 3.1 apg, .404 FG., .368 3PT, .776 FT
*Career Honors: 2022 Second Team All-Patriot League; 2021 Patriot League All-Rookie Team
 
Walter Whyte, Boston University, Gr., F, New Haven, Conn./St. Luke’s School
2021-22 Stats: 26 GP/23 GS, 12.7 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 1.1 apg, .458 FG, .381 3PT, .794 FT
*Career Honors: 2022 Third Team All-Patriot League; 2021 Third Team All-Patriot League; 2021 Second Team NABC All-District 13; 2020 Second Team All-Patriot League; 2018 Patriot League All-Rookie Team.
 
Tucker Richardson, Colgate, Sr., G, Flemington, N.J./Blair Academy
2021-22 Stats: 35 GP/35GS, 12.7 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 3.8 apg, 1.3 spg, .439 FG, .366 3PT, .639 FT
*Career Honors: 2022 First Team All-Patriot League; 2022 Patriot League All-Defensive Team; 2022 Academic All-Patriot League; 2021 Third Team All-Patriot League, 2021 Academic All-Patriot League; 2021 All-Tournament Team; 2021 NABC All-District 13 Second Team; 2019 Patriot League Rookie of the Year; 2019 Patriot League All-Rookie Team.
 
Gerrale Gates, Holy Cross, Sr., F, Charlotte, N.C./David W. Butler
2021-22 Stats: 28 GP/26 GS, 16.2 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 2.1 apg, .424 FG, .286 3PT, .749 FT
*Career Honors: 2022 Second Team All-Patriot League; 2021 Third Team All-Patriot League; 2019 Southland Conference Freshman of the Year
 
Evan Taylor, Lehigh, Sr., Glen Ellyn, Ill./Glenbard West
2021-22 Stats: 32 GP/31 GS, 13.0 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 1.3 apg, 0.9 bpg, .472 FG, .412 3PT, .740 FT
*Career Honors: 2022 Third Team All-Patriot League.
 
2022-23 Patriot League Men’s Basketball Preseason Poll
1. Colgate, 161 points (17 first-place votes)
2. Boston University, 130 (1)
3. Lehigh, 128 (2)
4. Navy, 121
5. Army West Point, 92
6. Loyola Maryland, 83
7. American, 68
8. Bucknell, 52
9. Holy Cross, 35
10. Lafayette, 30
 
2022-23 Patriot League Men’s Basketball Preseason Major Awards
Preseason Player of the Year – Tucker Richardson, Colgate, Sr., G
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year – Tucker Richardson, Colgate, Sr., G
 
2022-23 Patriot League Men’s Basketball Preseason All-League Team
Jalen Rucker, Army West Point, Jr., G
Walter Whyte, Boston University, Gr., F
Tucker Richardson, Colgate, Sr., G
Gerrale Gates, Holy Cross, Sr., F
Evan Taylor, Lehigh, Sr., G
 
ABOUT THE PATRIOT LEAGUE
The Patriot League is in its fourth decade of academic and athletic achievement, continually demonstrating that student-athlete 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.