ATLANTIC CITY, NJ (Mar. 7, 2022) – The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC), today announced the 2021-22 Men’s Basketball All-MAAC Teams, as voted on by the league’s 11 head coaches.
The All-MAAC First Team included Iona College’s duo of Tyson Jolly and Nelly Junior Joseph, Manhattan College’s Jose Perez, Monmouth University’s George Papas, and Niagara University’s Marcus Hammond.
During his first season in New Rochelle, Jolly helped lead the Gaels to its MAAC-leading 11th regular season title, earning a unanimous selection to the first team. He was Iona’s leading scorer, notching 14.5 points per game (tied for sixth in MAAC) and the team’s most efficient three-point shooter, making 37.9 percent of his triples (ninth in MAAC). A native of Muskogee, Oklahoma, Jolly also found himself top-10 in the conference in blocked shots and top-15 in offensive rebounds. He was honored as MAAC Player of the Week on Feb. 28.
Reigning MAAC Rookie of the Year, Junior Joseph helped guide the Gaels to the MAAC regular season crown by averaging 12.9 points and 8.2 rebounds per game during his sophomore campaign. His scoring average ranked 11th and his rebounding average was third-best in the conference, while also ranking fifth in field goal percentage. The 6-foot-9 forward recorded the second-most double-doubles in the MAAC with 10 and he was also second in blocked shots and 11th steals on the defensive side of the ball. Hailing from Benin City, Nigeria, Junior Joseph became a two-time all-league honoree with his rookie team appearance last season and he was named MAAC Player of the Week on Feb. 21 additionally this season.
The number one option for the Jaspers in his first season with the team, Perez led the MAAC in both scoring and assists in 2021-22. A hometown product of the Bronx, Perez averaged 18.8 points and 4.5 assists per game to lead the league. He led the conference at the charity stripe, ranking second nationally in free throws made and third in the nation in free throws attempted at the end of the regular season. The 6-foot-5 guard dropped 38 points at Niagara on Feb. 4 and dished out 12 assists against Manhattanville on Nov. 9, setting the single-game standard for the conference in both categories this season. Perez earned both MAAC Player of the Week and MET Player of the Week on Jan. 17 as well.
Monmouth graduate guard Papas, appeared and started in all 31 games for the Hawks this season, posting a team-leading 15.3 points, 2.9 assists, and 1.4 steals per contest. His scoring average was fourth-best in the MAAC, his assists ranked ninth and his steals were fifth. The Jersey City, New Jersey native capitalized on 85 percent of his freebies at the line and 36 percent of his threes attempted, ranking fourth and 14th in those categories. Papas also snagged top rebounding figures, grabbing the seventh-most defensive boards and 16th most total rebounds in the league. After being selected to the All-MAAC Second Team in 2020-21, he becomes a two-time all-league honoree. Papas picked up a pair of Player of the Week accolades this season, winning the awards on Nov. 22 and Dec. 6.
Earning his third career all-conference team selection and second appearance on the first team, Hammond ranked second in the MAAC in points during 2021-22, scoring 18.1 per game. This marked the third-consecutive season that he was among the league’s top-15 in scoring. A precise scorer, Hammond converted on 84 percent of his free throws and 37 percent of his three-pointers, fifth and 10th on the MAAC leaderboard, respectively. The senior guard from Queens, New York also assisted his teammates on 2.8 field goals, 11th in the conference, and pulled down 4.9 rebounds each time out. Hammond was a two-time MAAC Player of the Week, claiming the awards on Nov. 15 and Feb. 7.
| All-MAAC First Team |
| Player |
Position |
Year |
Institution |
| Tyson Jolly |
Guard |
Gr. |
Iona |
| Nelly Junior Joseph |
Forward |
So. |
Iona |
| Jose Perez |
Guard |
Sr. |
Manhattan |
| George Papas |
Guard |
Gr. |
Monmouth |
| Marcus Hammond |
Guard |
Sr. |
Niagara |
| All-MAAC Second Team |
| Player |
Position |
Year |
Institution |
| Elijah Joiner |
Guard |
Gr. |
Iona |
| Jao Ituka |
Guard |
Fr. |
Marist |
| Walker Miller |
Center |
Gr. |
Monmouth |
| KC Ndefo |
Forward |
Sr. |
Saint Peter’s |
| Colby Rogers |
Guard |
Jr. |
Siena |
| All-MAAC Third Team |
| Player |
Position |
Year |
Institution |
| Ricardo Wright |
Guard |
So. |
Marist |
| Shavar Reynolds Jr. |
Guard |
Gr. |
Monmouth |
| Matt Balanc |
Guard |
R-Jr. |
Quinnipiac |
| Kevin Marfo |
Forward |
Gr. |
Quinnipiac |
| Dimencio Vaughn |
Forward |
Gr. |
Rider |
| Daryl Banks III |
Guard |
Jr. |
Saint Peter’s |
| Anthony Gaines |
Guard |
Gr. |
Siena |
One of the five members of the All-MAAC First Team will be honored as the 2021-22 MAAC Men’s Basketball Player of the Year when major awards are announced on Wednesday, March 9.
The 2021-22 campaign culminates with the 2022 Hercules Tires MAAC Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships from March 8-12 at Atlantic City's Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall. Stay up to date with all MAAC basketball by visiting
MAACSports.com/basketball and by following @MAACHoops and #MAACHoops on Twitter.
About the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference:
With 11 institutions strongly bound by the sound principles of quality and integrity in academics and excellence in athletics, the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) is in its 41st year of competition during the 2021-22 academic year. Current conference members include: Canisius College, Fairfield University, Iona College, Manhattan College, Marist College, Monmouth University, Niagara University, Quinnipiac University, Rider University, Saint Peter’s University, and Siena College.
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