JAMAICA, NY— One day after being named D3hoops.com Regional Player of the Year, York College junior center, Marcel Esonwune was announced as the 2009-10 Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Metro Division Men’s Basketball Player of the Year. Senior guard Nicholas Hamilton-Lopez was selected to the first team.
Esonwune had a breakout year during the 2009-10 campaign. He finished the season as the nation’s leading shot blocker, averaging 4.2 blocks per game. Esonwune also ranked second in the country in rebounding, averaging 14.8 boards per game, and was fifth in the CUNYAC in scoring, averaging 18.6 points per game. In addition, he recorded double-doubles in 26 games and triple-doubles in three games.
“Marcel is one of the most exciting players I have ever coached,” said York head coach Ronald St. John. “His work ethic has allowed him to reach great heights. To have him achieve such honors and still have him back for another season is a coach’s dream.”
Hamilton-Lopez established himself as one of the best shooters in the country, finishing the season third in the country in three-point field goals made per game (3.9). He ranked second in the CUNYAC in scoring (20.2 ppg) and second in assists (4.0). In just a season and a half at York College, Hamilton-Lopez recorded 858 points.
Hamilton-Lopez and Esonwune led the Cardinals to the finals of both the CUNYAC Championship and the ECAC Championship. The Cardinals came up short in both title games but they finished with a school record of 23 wins.