Amelianovich Named "MVP" for Men's Basketball

4 May 2004

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - For his role in the Illinois Wesleyan men’s basketball team's 21-7 record in 2003-04, sophomore Keelan Amelianovich was named the Titans' “Most Valuable Player.”

The 6-foot-6 forward from Naperville (Neuqua Valley HS) averaged 17.9 points and 5.1 rebounds as IWU claimed the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin championship and advanced to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Division III Tournament for the second straight season.

"That's a testament to the type of year Keelan had," Illinois Wesleyan head coach Scott Trost said of his players' voting. "He had a phenomenal season and as a team they had a very good year.”

Amelianovich was named a first team All-American by the National Association of Basketball Coaches, second team on the D3hoops.com squad and third team in Basketball Times magazine. He was the CCIW “Most Outstanding Player” and the NABC Midwest Region “Player of the Year.”

His 82 3-point field goals set a school record, he led the team in scoring 18 times and scored in double figures in 27 games.

Amelianovich and sophomore classmates Adam Dauksas (Flossmoor, Homewood-Flossmoor HS) and Cory Jones (Calumet City, Thornwood HS) were selected captains for next season.

In other team honors, senior guard Jim Lehan (DeKalb HS) was selected as “Best Defensive Player” and senior reserve forward John O'Brien (Bloomington, Central Catholic HS) was voted the Titan Award for hard work and perseverance

"Lehan always guarded our opponent's best perimeter player," said Trost. "His teammates recognized he did an outstanding job.

"John didn't get to play as much, but the players recognized his contributions," Trost said. "He came to practice every day, worked extremely hard and never complained. He was the consummate team player."

Trost, whose eight-season career record as a head coach is 106-74 overall and 54-44 in the CCIW, awarded letters to 15 players, including 13 who return next season. The lettermen are, with hometowns and high schools:

SENIORS - Jim Lehan (DeKalb HS), John O’Brien (Bloomington, Central Catholic HS).

JUNIOR – Steve Jeretina (Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove HS),

SOPHOMORES – Keelan Amelianovich (Naperville, Neuqua Valley HS), Matt Arnold (Bloomington, Ind., Edgewood HS), Adam Dauksas (Flossmoor, Homewood-Flossmoor HS), Jason Fisher (Delavan HS), Chris Jones (Calumet City, Thornwood HS), Cory Jones (Calumet City, Thornwood HS), Mike McGraw (Litchfield HS), Steve Schweer (St. Charles, Hinsdale Central HS).

FRESHMEN – Andrew Freeman (Bloomington, Normal Community HS), Zach Freeman (Bloomington, Normal Community HS), Brad Liddell (Crystal Lake, Central HS), Tyler Smith (Philo, Tolono Unity HS).

CONTACT: Stew Salowitz, 309-556-3206