Four repeats on 2020 All-American Teams
In total, 50 players comprise the NJCAA’s First, Second, Third, and Honorable Mention All-American Teams. Of the eight Freshman who made last year’s teams, only seven returned to attempt a repeat. Of those seven, only four players were selected again in 2019-20, although all seven made strong cases. Here are the four
John A. Logan College (IL) Sophomore Guard Jayden “Jay” Scrubb is the only repeat First Teamer from the 2018-19 Team. The 6’6″ wing from Louisville, KY, helped guide the Volunteers to a 28-5 overall record, going 18-0 to claim the Great Rivers Athletic Conference Championship. The Vols were also NJCAA Central District Champs, earning them an automatic berth in the National Tournament, the third time in program history. Scrubb averaged 21.9 ppg, connecting on 50.1% of his FG attempts. Jay also grabbed almost 7 rebounds while dishing out 2.8 assists per game. As a Freshman last season, Jay averaged 20.2 points per contest at a clip of just under 55% shooting. Originally committing to attend the University of Louisville, Scrubb announced last month the he has declared for the NBA draft.
Vince Cole, University of South Carolina-Salkehatchie Indians standout from Charleston, SC, joined Scrubb on the First Team. Cole was a 2nd Team selection last year. Averaging 21.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per outing this season, Cole was key in helping “Salk” to a 27-4 record and Atlantic District Championship qualifying them for the National Tournament. The 6’6″ guard was the Region 10 Player of the Year, an honor he received in 2018-19 as well. During his Sophomore season, Vince finished in top 25 of several offensive categoies. His 90.1% FT shooting was 2nd, he was 11th in made FT’s (164), 12th total points (664), and his 21.4 ppg ranked 22nd in the nation. Cole has signed to continue his education and playing career at St. John’s University.
Juan Felix Rodriguez of Monroe College (NY) made the jump to Second Team this season, after making the Honorable Mention Squad in 2019. Rodriguez, like Vince Cole, was back to back Player of the Year in his region (Region 15), and became only the second player in Mustang history to be a two-time NJCAA All-American. After recording 11.6 points, 4.4 assist, and 4.7 rebounds per game last year, the 6’0” guard from Lawrence, MA, stepped up his game this year, making his 2019-20 selection academic. Rodriguez averaged 18.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game, leading the Mustangs to an overall record of 24-9, emerging as East District Champion, qualifying them for a trip to Hutch for the National Tournament. Juan has committed to play at neighboring NCAA Div. 1 Stony Brook University (NY).
Honorable Mention selection, Duoth Gach, of North Dakota State College of Science, was also HM last year. The 6’5″ sophomore guard, who hales from Austin, MN, posted 21.4 ppg along with 3.8 rpg in helping the Wildcats to a 25-6 overall record. Gach, who was named the Mon-Dak Conference Player of the Year, shot 53% from the field, including 50% of his three point attempts, in route to a conference high 62 made triples. Adding to his accolades for 2019-20, Duoth was named Region 13 Player of the Year. As a Freshman, Gach averaged 15.4 points per contest, while shooting 50% from the field, 45% from outside the arc. No word at this time regarding Duoth’s transfer plans.
