PITMAN, NJ --- Montclair State University senior forward Steven Breeman (Oak Ridge, NJ/Jefferson) and Rowan University junior forward Ja’Zere Noel (Woodbury, NJ/Woodbury) were named the 2022-23 NJAC Men’s Basketball Pony Wilson Co-Players of the Year. Rutgers University-Newark sophomore guard Levi Holton (Paterson, NJ/Eastside) and Stockton senior guard Kyion Flanders (Wildwood, NJ/Wildwood) were named NJAC Co-Defensive Players of the Year, and Rutgers University-Camden freshman forward Cameron Downs (Pemberton, NJ/Pemberton) was tabbed the conference’s Rookie of the Year.

Their selections highlighted the 17-member NJAC men’s basketball all-conference team which was announced on February 22. All NJAC special awards and all-conference honors were determined by a vote of the league’s head coaches.

Breeman led Montclair State to a 15-3 conference record. The three-time NJAC All-Conference honoree led the NJAC in conference-only scoring (18.9 ppg), conference-only 3-point percentage (45.3%), and conference-only made threes (3.4 per game). He also ranked fourth in conference-only field goal percentage (50.5%), tied for fourth in conference-only rebounding (7.6 rpg), and sixth in conference-only free throw percentage (78.5%). Breeman was a two-time NJAC Player of the Week this season.

Noel led Rowan to a 16-2 conference record and the top seed in the NJAC Tournament. The three-time NJAC Player of the Week ranked second in conference-only scoring (18.3 ppg), third in conference-only free throw percentage (81.9%), fourth in conference-only blocks (1.1 bpg), tied for fourth in conference-only rebounding (7.6 rpg), and fifth in conference-only field goal percentage (49.4%).

Holton stepped up into a leading role in his sophomore season for Rutgers-Newark, leading the Scarlet Raiders in both overall (10.9 ppg) and conference-only (11.6 ppg) scoring. A playmaker for the Raiders, Holton averaged 1.5 steals per game against conference opponents to rank 12th in the NJAC and the guard was also among the top 25 in conference-only rebounding (4.5 rpg).

Flanders, a four-time NJAC All-Conference honoree, contributed on both ends of the court to help Stockton to a 15-3 conference record this season. The senior guard ranked ninth in conference-only steals (1.6 spg) and was sixth in conference-only made threes (2.2 per game) en route to chipping in 11.7 points per game in NJAC play.

Downs, a three-time NJAC Rookie of the Week, was the leading freshman scorer and seventh overall, dropping in 16.8 points per game against conference opponents. He also led all rookies and was second overall in conference-only field goal percentage (56.8%) and seventh overall in conference-only free throw percentage (77.5%). Downs was also second among rookies and 16th overall in conference-only rebounding (5.1 rpg).

Montclair State head coach Justin Potts was selected by his peers at the NJAC Coach of the Year for the first time in his four years at the helm. Potts elevated MSU to a 15-3 conference record this year and 22-5 overall record. He has mentored eight all-conference honorees in four seasons including Breeman who earned Co-Player of the Year this season. Potts’ record stands at 53-32 in four seasons.

2022-23 NJAC MEN'S BASKETBALL ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM 
Pony Wilson Co-Players of the Year: Steven Breeman, Montclair State & Ja'Zere Noel, Rowan
Co-Defensive Players of the Year: Levi Holton, Rutgers-Newark & Kyion Flanders, Stockton
Rookie of the Year: Cameron Downs, Rutgers-Camden
John K. Adams Coach of the Year: Justin Potts, Montclair State

 

Key:
^ -    First Team All-Conference 2021-22
% -  Second Team All-Conference 2021-22
! -    Honorable Mention 2021-22
$ -   First Team All-Conference 2020-21
@ - Second Team All-Conference 2020-21
~ - Honorable Mention All-Conference 2020-21
* -  First Team All-Conference 2019-20
# - Honorable Mention All-Conference 2019-20