NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. – Rutgers freshmen Gregory Echenique (Guatire, Venezuela) and Mike Rosario (Jersey City, N.J.) shared the Abe Suydam Award as Most Valuable Players of the 2008-09 Rutgers men's basketball team, it was announced Friday evening at the team's annual awards banquet at The Heldrich. The rookie duo, which combined to lead all BIG EAST rookies in eight statistical categories, also split the Top Newcomer Award.
Rosario was named the Met Rookie of the Year, to the BIG EAST Conference All-Rookie team, and a Freshman All-American this season. He set the Rutgers freshman all-time scoring mark with 517 points, and averaged 18.9 points-per-game in eight contests against nationally-ranked foes. He concluded the season ranked fifth nationally among the nation’s freshmen in scoring with 16.2 points-per-game.
Echenique played in all 32 games, earning 30 starts, and set the RU freshman rebounding mark with 268 boards. He had five double-doubles, eight or more rebounds in 19 games and three or more blocks in 14 contests. Echenique ranked third in blocks and fourth in rebounding (8.4) among freshmen nationally. Overall nationally, he placed 23rd in blocks and 60th in rebounding.
Senior co-captain Anthony Farmer (Millville, N.J.) was the recipient of the Frank Hill Award, annually presented to the individual exemplifies the characteristics of loyalty and leadership. He made an indelible mark in a Scarlet uniform, starting 113 of 123 career games, played 3,801 minutes, scored 1,092 points and dished-out 371 assists, fourth most in Rutgers history. After earning M.V.P. honors as a junior, he served as team co-captain this season, helping to mentor a young squad with five freshmen. He joined the exclusive 1,000-point club courtesy of a key three-pointer in the 75-56 win over DePaul.
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Mike Rosario
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Junior center Hamady Ndiaye (Dakar, Senegal) was presented the Kevin Collins Most Improved Scholar-Athlete Award, as well as Defensive MVP. A communication major, battled through back injury this season and was once again one of the top defensive performers in the BIG EAST Conference, ranking 30th nationally in blocks. A team co-captain this season, Ndiaye has already accumulated 213 rejections, fifth most in RU history.
Most improved player honors were bestowed upon sophomore guard Earl Pettis (Philadelphia, Pa.). He played in 31 games this season and made 20 starts. Pettis finished the season especially strong, shooting 53 percent over the final 11 contests.
