Gant Earns IWU Men’s Basketball “MVP” Honor

April 21, 2008

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Senior Darius Gant has been selected as the "Most Valuable Player" for the 2007-08 Illinois Wesleyan men's basketball team.

A first team all- College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin player, Gant (Oswego HS) averaged team-highs of 12.9 points and 9.5 rebounds per game as he helped IWU to a 16-11 overall record and a 9-5 CCIW mark, good for second place.

Gant’s 256 rebounds is the 15th best in an IWU season and he collected 21 rebounds against North Park on February 23, a total eclipsed only five times in IWU history. He had 12 “double-doubles” in points-rebounds, led the Titans in rebounds in 18 games and in scoring seven times.

Guard Sean Johnson (Washington HS), a third team all-CCIW selection, finished with 312 points, the 10th highest total for a freshman at IWU and his 60 3-point field goals is tied for 11th most in a Wesleyan season.

Head coach Ron Rose, whose two-year career record improved to 27-25, awarded letters to 15 players. They are, with hometowns and high schools:

SENIORS – Jason Bloom (Bloomington, Normal Community HS); Kevin Bryant (Batavia HS); Darius Gant (Oswego HS); Brian Nussbaum (Homewood, Homewood Flossmoor HS).

JUNIORS – Brett Chamernik (Naperville, Benet Academy); Andrew Gilmore (Stillwater, Minn. Area HS); Jordan Morris (Washington, Pekin HS).

SOPHOMORE – Sean Dwyer (Arlington Heights, Hersey HS).

FRESHMEN – Sean Johnson (Washington HS); Duncan Lawson (Glen Ellyn, Glenbard West HS); Edmond O’Callaghan (Chicago, St. Patrick HS); Travis Rosenkranz (Macon, Meridian HS); Matt Schick (Lincoln HS); Doug Sexauer (Homer Glen, Lockport HS); Josh Sutton (Lincoln HS).

CONTACT: Stew Salowitz, 309-556-3206