BALTIMORE, Md. (March 12, 2024) — The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) revealed its highly anticipated all-conference selections on Tuesday evening, and there was great news for Morgan State University's men's basketball team. Two of their standout players have been recognized for their outstanding performances throughout the season.
Morgan's Will Thomas and Wynston Tabbs and were selected to the Second Team.
Thomas, a redshirt-senior, from Baltimore, Md., has also proven to be a consistent scorer, reaching double digits in 19 out of the 29 games played. What's even more impressive is his ability to have big scoring nights, tallying nine games with 20 or more points.
Thomas' ability to knock down mid-range shots has been on full display, as he currently boasts an impressive shooting percentage of 47 percent, ranking him second in the league. This efficiency has translated into an average of 13.6 points per game. With his deadly mid-range shot and consistent scoring, Thomas has been a key contributor to the team's success this season.
Thomas was recently named HBCU National Player of the Week after averaging 27.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, shot 51 percent from the field (19-of-37) and shot 85 percent from the free throw line (17-of-20) in helping lead the Bears to a 2-0 record last week.
Thomas has been making headlines with his impressive performance on the court. After leading his team to a perfect 2-0 record last week, Thomas was awarded the prestigious title of HBCU National Player of the Week. This recognition comes as no surprise to those who have been following his career closely. After averaging 27.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, shot 51 percent from the field (19-of-37) and shot 85 percent from the free throw line (17-of-20) in helping lead the Bears to a 2-0 record last week, Thomas has solidified himself as a force to be reckoned with.
Redshirt senior guard
Wynston Tabbs enters the MEAC Tournament averaging 15.2 points, and finished the regular season ranked No. 6 in the MEAC in scoring, netting a career-high 38 points vs. UMBC on Dec. 26.
Tabbs is shooting a league-best .887 from the free throw percentage, ranked No. 6 in field goal percentage (.396) and No. 5 in 3-pointers made per game (1.9 makes) from three-point range per game.
Tabbs has made 44 of 128 three-point shots this season (34 percent). He has also been a consistent scorer, reaching double figures in 17 games so far this season. And it's not just a few points here and there, as he has managed to score 20 or more points in seven of those games. His ability to put up big numbers and carry his team at times has solidified his place as a key player for the Bears.
He was named MEAC Offensive Player of the Week as a result of scoring seven of his 25 points (7-12 FG) in overtime to lead the Bears to an 89-86 victory against Coppin State (Jan. 20). He also recorded four steals, three boards, and was a perfect 8-for-8 from the free-throw line.
The All-MEAC teams are selected by the conference's head basketball coaches and sports information directors.
The Bears had a tumultuous regular season, finishing with a record of 11-19. Despite a rocky start, the team managed to turn things around and ended the season with a respectable 7-7 record in conference play.
The 2023-24 regular-season divisional champions, first team honorees and other award winners, including Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Newcomer of the Year, 6th Player of the Year and Coach of the Year, were recognized Tuesday evening in the Chrysler Hall during the MEAC BBT Awards.
Tournament play begins Wednesday, March 13, and runs through Saturday, March 16, at the Scope Arena in Norfolk, Va.
For more information, log on to
www.MEACHOOPS.com.
2023-24 Men's Basketball All-MEAC Teams
As voted on by the conference's head men's basketball coaches and sports information directors.
Player of the Year: Jamarii Thomas., Norfolk State
Rookie of the Year: Deywilk Tavarez, Delaware State
Defensive Player of the Year: Troy Hupstead, Maryland Eastern Shore
Newcomer of the Year: Jamarii Thomas., Norfolk State
6th Player of the Year: Allen Betrand, Norfolk State
Coach of the Year: Robert Jones, Norfolk State
First Team
| Name |
Pos. |
Ht. |
Class |
School |
Hometown |
| Jamarii Thomas |
G |
6-0 |
Jr. |
Norfolk State |
Greensboro, N.C. |
| Bryce Harris |
G |
6-4 |
Jr. |
Howard |
Brentwood, N.Y. |
| Martaz Robinson |
G |
6-2 |
Sr. |
Delaware State |
Baltimore, Md. |
| Fred Cleveland Jr. |
G |
5-9 |
Sr. |
N.C. Central |
Chicago, Ill. |
| Troy Hupstead |
F |
6-7 |
Jr. |
Maryland Eastern Shore |
Mount Vernon, N.Y. |
Second Team
| Name |
Pos. |
Ht. |
Class |
School |
Hometown |
| Wynston Tabbs |
G |
6-3 |
r-Sr. |
Morgan State |
Suitland, Md. |
| Jevin Muniz |
G |
6-6 |
So. |
Delaware State |
Bethlehem, Pa. |
| Will Thomas |
F |
6-6 |
Gr. |
Morgan State |
Baltimore, Md. |
| Ja'Darius Harris |
G |
6-2 |
R-Sr. |
N.C. Central |
Trenton, Tenn. |
| Marcus Dockery |
G |
6-2 |
Jr. |
Howard |
Washington, D.C. |
Third Team
| Name |
Pos. |
Ht. |
Class |
School |
Hometown |
| Seth Towns |
F |
6-9 |
Gr. |
Howard |
Columbus, Ohio |
| Po'Boigh King |
G |
6-4 |
So. |
N.C. Central |
Roanoke Rapids, N.C. |
| Ryan Archey |
G |
6-0 |
Fr. |
Coppin State |
Clinton, Md. |
| Allen Betrand |
G |
6-5 |
Gr. |
Norfolk State |
Philadelphia, Pa. |
| Deywilk Tavarez |
F |
6-2 |
Fr. |
Delaware State |
Pennsauken, N.J. |
All-Rookie Team
| Name. |
Pos. |
Ht. |
Class |
School |
Hometown |
| Deywilk Tavarez |
G |
6-2 |
Fr. |
Delaware State |
Pennsauken, N.J. |
| Ryan Archey |
G |
6-0 |
Fr. |
Coppin State |
Clinton, Md. |
| Mitchell Taylor |
G |
6-0 |
Fr. |
South Carolina State |
Capitol Heights, Md. |
| Chris Fields Jr. |
F |
6-7 |
Fr. |
Norfolk State |
Petersburg, Va. |
| Camaren Sparrow |
G |
6-4 |
Fr. |
Coppin State |
Baltimore, Md. |
All-Defensive Team
| Name |
Pos. |
Ht. |
Class |
School |
Hometown |
| Troy Hupstead |
F |
6-7 |
Jr. |
Maryland Eastern Shore |
Mount Vernon, N.Y. |
| Bryce Harris |
F |
6-9 |
Gr. |
Howard |
Little Rock, Ark. |
| Jamarii Thomas |
G |
6-0 |
Jr. |
Norfolk State |
Greensboro, N.C. |
| Seth Towns |
G |
6-2 |
Sr. |
Howard |
Lexington, Ky. |
| Emmanuel Izanabor |
C |
7-0 |
Gr. |
N.C. Central |
Baltimore, Md. |
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ABOUT MORGAN
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified doctoral research institution offering more than 100 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland's Preeminent Public Urban Research University, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.
