For the list of top seniors within Small College Basketball for
the 2008-09 season, please Click Here.
The list has been updated as of 04/17/09. Players List
First Collegiate Basketball Invitational Alumnus
Signs in the NBA
2008 All Tournament Team member Othyus Jeffers signs with the
Golden State Warriors
Othyus Jeffers, a 6’4” guard/forward from Robert Morris (IL) College and 2008 alumnus of the Collegiate Basketball Invitational (CBI), has become the first player from the CBI to sign with a team in the National Basketball Association (NBA). After being named as the 2009 Rookie of the Year in the National Basketball Association Developmental League and being named as an All Star in the league, Jeffers was called up and signed by the Golden State Warriors.
“I am very excited and proud for Othyus,” said CBI Founder John McCarthy. “This is a dream come true for him, and he has worked extremely hard to make this happen. His success at this level is not a surprise, as Othyus is blessed with talent and he has combined this with an incredible drive and work ethic. He obviously showed himself very well in Wadsworth last April and has continued his progress in the NBDL, and now all the way to the NBA.”
During the 2008 CBI, Jeffers averaged 17.7 ppg, 6.0 rpg and 3.0 spg while leading his First Merit Team to a 3-0 record and the 2008 championship. In the All Star Game, which was a live broadcast on ESPNU, he went for 11 points, two rebounds and a steal.
Jeffers led Robert Morris to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) National Championship Tournament Quarterfinals during his final campaign with RMC. He was named Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference Player of the Year, an NAIA First-Team All-American, and the Sporting News NAIA Player of the Year.
As the top player on the NBA-DL's Iowa Energy, he ranked in the league's top ten in scoring, rebounding, and steals.
"Othyus is a warrior. He competes every night, puts winning first and foremost in his mind and refuses to be denied," said Energy head coach Nick Nurse. "He is absolutely deserving of this award and he gets a lot of credit in my book. In my 19 years of coaching he is without a doubt the most competitive player I've ever worked with."
In 46 games (31 starts) for Iowa, Jeffers is averaging 20.9 points on 53 percent (354-for-667) shooting from the field, to go with 9.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 2.1 steals, helping the Energy to a 27-22 record, good for first place in the Central Division. Jeffers also participated in this year's NBA D-League All-Star Game in Phoenix, scoring 14 points on 6-for-9 shooting from the field. The Rookie of the Year is selected in a vote by the League's sixteen head coaches
"In a season filled with talented rookie performances, Othyus' contributions to his team's success stood out," said Chris Alpert, Vice President of Basketball Operations and Player Personnel for the NBA D-League. "He demonstrated all season that he is a tremendous player and a top young prospect. With hard work and determination, he has used the NBA D-League as a platform to display his abilities to NBA scouts. There is no doubt that Othyus has a bright future ahead of him."
RMC Head Coach Al Breuhl was equally effusive in his praise for his former player. "O' is an individual that has made the most of his god-given abilities through hard work and strict dedication to his goals," says Coach Bruehl. "The obstacles he has had to overcome are well documented, but this is a dream come true. This is big moment for Othyus and our program." A special thank you to Robert Morris Sports Information to contributions to this article.
Congratulations to our new, 2009 National Champions,
listed along with the tournament MVP from each level.
NCAA Division II Findlay Tournament MVP Josh Bostic, 6'5", Sr.
NCAA Division III Washington Tournament MVP Sean Wallis, 6'0", Jr.
NAIA Division II Oklahoma Wesleyan Tournament MVP Steve Briggs, 5'10", Jr.
For Findlay, the National Championship concluded a perfect season of 36-0.
Washington's National Title makes it back-to-back crowns for the Bears.
Rocky Mountain defeated Columbia (MO) in the first NAIA Championship game to feature two unseeded teams,
while the Battlin' Bears won their first-ever NAIA title in any sport.
Oklahoma Wesleyan came into the tournament as the number one seed and ran the table for their school's
first-ever NAIA crown in any sport.
As we prepare for the various post-season tournament of the 2008-09 season, I’d like to provide here’s some basic information about the upcoming
National Championships within small college basketball:2009 NAIA Division I National Championship
March 18-24, Kansas City, MO Municipal Auditorium
Defending National Champion: Oklahoma City
2008 Tournament MVP: Kameron Gray, Oklahoma City
2008 National Player of the Year: Ollie Bailey: Oklahoma City2009 NAIA Division II National Championship
March 11-17, College of the Ozarks, Branson, MO Defending National Champion: Oregon Tech
2008 Tournament MVP: Ryan Fiegi, Oregon Tech
2008 National Player of the Year: Ryan Fiegi, Oregon Tech 2009 NCAA Division II National Championship
March 25, 26 & 28, Mass Mutual Center, Springfield, MA Defending National Champion: Winona State (MN)
2008 Tournament MVP: Jonte Flowers, Winona State
2008 National Player of the Year: John Smith, Winona State2009 NCAA Division III National Championship
March 20-21, Salem Civic Center, Salem, VA Defending National Champion: Washington University (MO)
2008 Tournament MVP: Troy Ruths, Washington University
2008 National Player of the Year: Troy Ruths, Washington University2009 NCCAA Division I National Championship
March 19-21, Oakland City University, Oakland City, IN Defending National Champion: Indiana Wesleyan
2008 Tournament MVP: Zach Coverstone, Indiana Wesleyan2009 NCAA Division II National Championship
March 10-14, Central Bible College, Springfield, MO Defending National Champion: Grace University
2008 Tournament MVP: Paul Putz, Grace University
Remember, it’s small college basketball that has produced some great players such as Earl “The Pearl” Monroe, Walt Frazier, Phil Jackson, Jerry Sloan, Terry Porter, Ben Wallace, Scottie Pippin, Clarence “Bevo” Francis, Charles Oakley, Deveon George and so many others. Small college basketball is where some great coaching legends have lived, such as John McClendon, John Wooden, Clarence “Big House” Gaines, Arad McCutchan, Harry Stratham, Dave Robbins, Herb Magee, Danny Miles, Don Meyer and so many other great players and coaches. It’s also where the first collegiate basketball national champion was crowned (Central Missouri State Teacher’s College, 1937) and where the first historically black college won a collegiate national championship (Tennessee State in 1957, 1958 and 1959).Who’s next to join the great list of players and coaches? As we look back, ultimately, on the 2008-09 season, what will be the next great story lines? It’s tournament time…..enjoy!
John McCarthy is the face and voice of small college basketball. He is currently the Director of the NAIA Division I Men’s Basketball National Championship.
Congratulations to Mr. Dick Vitale for his tremendous contributions to the game of basketball and a lifetime of dedication to players, coaches and the many contributors to this great game. On behalf of the Collegiate Basketball Invitational, we would like to sincerely congratulate Dick on his induction into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. It's a thrill to see a man of such passion receive the game's top honor.
