Marion, IN — For the first time in program history, a Goshen College men’s basketball player has been named the Mid-Central Conference’s Newcomer of the Year, as league officials announced the conference’s post-season awards Wednesday.
Freshman guard Errick McCollum was voted the league’s top newcomer by conference head coaches after averaging 18.5 points per game overall and 20.4 points per game in MCC play, one of only a handful of players to up his production in conference competition.
McCollum was also named to the MCC’s Second-Team All-Conference, also a program first for a freshman.
“It is a great and well-deserving honor for Errick to be the Newcomer of the Year in the MCC,” said Stan Daugherty, Goshen head coach. “He had an outstanding season not only for a freshman, but by any standard. I was pleased with his attitude to want to get better each day and with his humble spirit in which he worked.”
It was clear early that McCollum would be a special player for Daugherty, as the slender, 6-2 guard from Canton, Ohio put up 19 points and grabbed seven rebounds in his first game as a collegian. From there, McCollum went on to lead Goshen in scoring in 18 of 30 total games, as well as being the squad’s leader in assists 21 times and rebounds on 10 occasions. His 43 total steals was tops on the team, while he shot a team-leading 50.1 percent from the field, a remarkable clip for a perimeter player.
“Errick was willing to play point guard or off guard for us, which was a major plus considering our team make-up this season,” Daugherty said. “He just wanted to be on the floor to help his team. He is a versatile player who can not only score, but can rebound and contribute to the team in other ways. I think that he really started to understand our system more as we got into conference play and that showed with his improvement statistically. He is a true winner and I look forward to him leading our team in the next three years.”
McCollum finished the season with the 37th-best scoring average in the nation among NAIA Division II programs, while his overall scoring average was fifth-best in the MCC. In conference play only, McCollum finished second overall in scoring (20.4 ppg), seventh overall in field goal percentage (50.4 percent) and fifth overall in three-point shooting percentage (44.4 percent).
Spring Arbor University’s Rob Boss, Bethel College’s Tyler Brown, Taylor University’s Daniel Cox and Indiana Wesleyan University’s DeJovaun Sawyer-Davis joined McCollum on the MCC’s All-Newcomer team. Cox was the only other member of that squad to register a vote better than Third Team All-MCC, however.
“Errick is obviously a tremendously talented basketball player, but the best thing about him is that he is a quality human being,” said Cory Furman, Goshen College assistant coach. “He looks you directly in the eye when you speak with him, is courteous to others and has perfect manners. He has a strong sense of humility while at the same time he absolutely wants the ball in crunch situations. It’s been refreshing to coach him in a time where the size of one’s ego seems directly proportional to talent level. That’s just not the case with Errick.”
McCollum was the first freshman in program history to be named Second Team All-MCC, as the previous bests were Third Team nominations, held most recently by 2006 graduate and three-time NAIA All-American Eric Walsh. Walsh, who went on to claim three First Team All-MCC honors in his final three seasons, still holds the record for points and rebounds in the Goshen career record books.
McCollum painted his name in several spots within the Leafs’ record books, as his 554 total points ranks ninth in the GC single-season records. That tally is the most by any freshman in program history. McCollum’s 197 total field goals ranks eighth in single-season history, while his 124 made free throws is sixth in single-season records.
McCollum registered a career-high 31 points and nine assists in an 85-75 win over Spring Arbor on Jan. 27 (click here for related article), while his 10 rebounds against the University of St. Francis on Dec. 5 (click here for article) was tops on the season.
Senior Willie Frazier — 7.4 points per game; 6.5 rebounds per game — and junior Brice Hartman — 15.7 points per game; 4.2 rebounds per game — were named to Honorable Mention All-MCC status. It was the first such honor for either player.
Huntington University’s Alex Kock was named MCC Player of the Year for the third consecutive season. He was joined on the First Team All-MCC by teammate Kyle Ganton, University of St. Francis’ Mike Campbell, Indiana Wesleyan’s Joel Tonagel and Bethel’s William Walker. For a complete look at the MCC’s post-season award winners, click here.
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Freshman Errick McCollum