Ricks named First-Team All-American
Johnson County Community College
Press Release
College Information and Publications
913-469-8500
Julie Haas, Associate Vice President, Marketing Communications, ext. 3120
Peggy Graham, Writer, ext. 3425
Tyler Cundith, Sports Information Director, ext. 3122
4/10/09
Story by Tyler Cundith
Ricks named First-Team All-American
Nafis Ricks |
OVERLAND PARK, KS – Johnson County Community College sophomore guard Nafis Ricks (Lamberton H.S/Philadelphia, Pa.) has been selected to the 2009 NJCAA Division II All-America First-Team. Ricks becomes just the second player in NJCAA D-II history to earn First-Team All-American honors in back-to-back seasons. Dawud Drew of Community College of Baltimore County was the first in 2003. He joins JCCC Hall of Fame forward Jimmy Hubbard as the only two-time basketball All-American in JCCC team history.
Ricks led JCCC to a 26-9 record and to the 2009 NJCAA D-II National Championship by averaging 16.3 points in the tournament to garner MVP honors. On the season, Ricks was JCCC leading scorer with an average of 17.2 points per game. He also led JCCC in assists (193-5.8) and steals (75-2.3). He scored in double figures 32 of 33 games. He also recorded a rare triple-double with 21 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in a home victory over Highland. Ricks ranked 46th nationally in points per game, 21st is in assists per game and 48th in steals per game.
Ricks also earned All-East Jayhawk Conference First-Team, All-Region VI First-Team honors and was selected the NJCAA D-II Player of the Week for Jan. 28, 2009. For his career, Ricks was a NABC/State Farm All-American, a two-time NJCAA All-American, All-Region VI and All-East Jayhawk Conference selection, a national tournament MVP, the East Jayhawk Freshman of the Year, and a three-time NJCAA D-II Player of the Week recipient.
Ricks also left his mark among all-time statistical leaders in JCCC history. On the career charts Ricks ranks fourth in points (1,077), eighth in scoring average (16.3),18th in rebounds (419), fifth in assists (311), fifth in assists average (4.7), fourth in steals (162), fourth in steals average (2.5), ninth in field goals (372) and second in free throws (297). On the season charts he ranks 12th in points (569), eighth in assists (193), fifth in steals (87), and third and sixth in free throws (151 and 146). In all, Ricks ranks among the top statistical leaders in 14 categories on JCCC’s game, season and career charts. He scored in double figures in 59 of 66 career games, and hit for 20 or more points 18 times, including a career high 31 against Independence his freshman season.
http://www.jccc.edu/athletics