NCAA Men: McCarron named National Player of the Year
Queenslander Mitch McCarron has capped off an outstanding year and collegiate career by being named by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) NCAA Division II National Player of the Year.
Mitch McCarron - Courtesy Metro State University of Denver
The 6'3 senior guard from Queensland, one of four Australian's on the 2014/15 Metro State University of Denver roster, enjoyed a standout season with the Roadrunners. In leading the Roadrunners to Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) championship game in which they finished runner-up, he was named RMAC Player of the Year, joined on the All-Conference First Team by fellow senior team-mate Nicholas Kay.
Mark Worthington: 2005 NABC D2 Player of the Year - Courtesy Metro State University of Denver
By earning the NABC Player of the Year award, McCarron becomes just the third Roadrunner to do so and the second Australian behind national team representative and current Melbourne United player Mark Worthington 10 years earlier (2005).
In averaging a career-best 20.2 points per game while shooting 49% from the field, an impressive 41.9% from beyond the arc and 84.9% from the free throw line, he further demonstrated his versatility by also delivering 6 rebounds and 4.5 assists each contest. Arguably McCarron's best performance of the season was when he posted just the third triple-double in school history, gathering 11 points, 11 rebounds and 13 assists in a win against Colorado Christian in the RMAC Tournament. McCarron's on court performances saw him end the season ranked in the top 50 nationally in a host of statistical categories including scoring, assists, free throws made, attempted and percentage, and minutes played.
McCarron's on-court performances saw him selected to the 2015 Reese's NABC NCAA Division II All-Star Game in Evansville, Indiana. In playing for the talent-laden East team, he connected on a perfect 5/5 from the field including 3 triples to go alongside 3 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 steal, without committing a turnover as they accounted for the West 140-112.
In addition to being named RMAC Player of the Year and All-Conference First Team selection, McCarron was also named to the All-America Second Team by Daktronics/Conference Commissioners Association and Basketball Times. He then added selection to the NABC All-America First Team before being named Player of the Year, and award that will be presented to him during the NCAA Division I Final Four weekend.
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Not only did McCarron excel on the court, he did just as well with his studies. The Queenslander earned the RMAC Summit Award for the top grade point average (3.85) and was also deemed conference Academic Player of the Year.
With McCarron's graduation this year, he will no doubt leave a lasting legacy on the Metro State program that has a long history of featuring Australian players. McCarron is sure to generate a lot of interest as he embarks on his professional playing career.