Junior guard Gage Daye has been rewarded for his extraordinary season by being selected the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) Men’s Basketball Player of the Year in balloting released today. The 13 CACC head coaches conducted the voting. Rookie of the Year accolades went to Leon Porter of Dominican College, while Herb Magee of Philadelphia University was chosen Coach of the Year. The University of the Sciences in Philadelphia was given the annual Team Sportsmanship Award.
The 6'2 sharpshooter from Newark, NJ has solidified himself as one of the premier players in Division II basketball over his junior campaign. A scoring machine for the Deacons this season, Daye ranks second in the country in scoring at 26.6 points per contest, the highest total in the CACC. He converts 2.00 three-pointers per-outing, which is tied for the fifth-most in the conference. A superior player on the defensive end of the floor as well, Gage is currently seventh in the nation in steals-per-game with 2.7 per contest, also tops in the CACC, and pulls down 6.3 rebounds per game.
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of Daye's game, though, is his ability to create scoring opportunities for his teammates. In addition to his gaudy offensive numbers, Gage also hands out 4.6 assists a night, numbers good for second in the CACC. Daye provided the most points by any player in the East Region this season with a 41-point outburst against Post on Feb. 17. He also notched the region’s only triple-double of the campaign with 26 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists against Post on Jan. 26. Daye and the Deacons will be the top seed for the upcoming CACC Tournament. Daye was a first-team All-Conference pick last season, and has received the award this season as well.
"This a big honor for Gage, and it's a testament to the kind of year he's had," head coach Gerald Holmes said. "He's been a tremendous leader on the floor for us this year, and has raised his game in every aspect at both ends of the floor. He's turning himself into a complete basketball player, and we are extremely proud of the hard work he has put in and what he's been able to accomplish. He makes everyone on the court better, and it's great that the league's coaches see what we have known all along."
Daye and the Deacons return to the hardwood for the first round of the CACC Tournament Monday night, when they welcome the Post University Eagles to the Deacons' Den for a 7:00 PM tip-off.