Nwankwo earns prestigious honor from the NJCAA

Helping the Cowley College men's basketball team to a 28-6 record and a trip to the Sweet Sixteen at the NJCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament, sophomore Jeff Nwankwo was recently named a First Team NJCAA All-American.

Nwankwo was joined on the First Team by another Jayhawk Conference performer in Garden City's Brody Robinson. Other First Team selections were Amar Augillard from Triton College, Bradyn Hubbard from Connors State, Dior Johnson of Clarendon College, Malique Ewin of South Plains, Martel Williams of Utah State University Eastern, Sheldon Williams of Coastal Alabama-South, and Trevion LaBeaux of Indian Hills Community College.

Nwankwo joins former Tigers Dalen Ridgnal, Tyrus McGee, and Jack Crowder as Cowley's only other All-American selections over the past 30 years.

"I am so proud of Jeff for being recognized as one of the top players in the country," Cowley head coach Donnie Jackson said. "To be named an All-American is quite an honor no matter what team you get selected to. He deserves the recognition and it is great for our program."

Nwankwo averaged 18.6 points and 7.6 rebounds per game while shooting 49 percent from the floor and 37 percent from beyond the arc.

Nwankwo's 631 points were the ninth most scored in a single season in the history of the Tiger men's basketball program.

"For him to be named First Team NJCAA All-American is a tribute to team success, his production on the court, and all of the time behind the scenes he has put into his game to allow him to perform at the level he did."