Eastern Michigan Athletics
Men's Basketball Announces 2006-07 Awards
4/5/2007 6:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Eight Eagles singled out for outstanding effort in 2005-06
YPSILANTI, Mich.--The Eastern Michigan University men’s basketball team put the finishing touches on the 2006-07 season announcing individual award winners at the annual awards ceremony held Thursday, April 5, in the Convocation Center atrium.
Head Coach Charles E. Ramsey and his staff selected eight individuals and one manager for awards. In addition, there were four statistical awards presented.
The Grant Long Most Valuable Player Award was shared by sophomore Carlos Medlock (Detroit, Mich.-Murray Wright) and junior Jesse Bunkley (Detroit, Mich.-CMA-Mott Community College). The Earle Higgins Leadership Award was presented to senior Craig Cashen (Cincinnati, Ohio-St. Xavier).
Junior guard Travis Lewis (Kalamazoo, Mich.-Loy Norrix) was the recipient of the team’s Earl Boykins Defensive Player of the Year Award. Freshman big man Justin Dobbins (Cleveland, Ohio-Glenville) was awarded the Harold Simons Most Improved Player Award and fellow freshman Devon Dumes (Indianapolis, Ind.-Decatur Central) won the Dan Hoff Scholar-Athlete Award. Senior Chris Knaub (South Bend, Ind.-St. Joseph’s-Jacksonville (TX) Junior College) was selected for the Jack Brusewitz Hustle and Spirit Award.
Manager Marlon Murray was the recipient of the Andy Herold Manager of the Year Award for his outstanding efforts as a team manager.
Individual statistical awards were presented to freshman Brandon Bowdry (Taylor, Mich.-Truman) for rebounding, Medlock for free-throw percentage, Dobbins for field-goal percentage and Lewis for assists. Bowdry, who was named to the 2007 Mid-American Conference All-Freshman team, led the team in rebounding at 5.4 per game while finishing third on the team in scoring at 8.3 ppg. Medlock shot 83.9 percent from the foul line, making 73-of-87 attempts. Dobbins made 57-of-115 field-goal attempts for 49.6 percent while Lewis accumulated 68 assists.
Bunkley, a 6-foot-5 junior-college transfer turned in an outstanding first season for the Eagles, finishing second on the team in scoring at 11.0 ppg and leading the squad in three-point field goals with 81-for-216 for 37.5 percent from beyond the arc. Bunkley’s 81 triples is the third-best in EMU single-season history, behind only Carl Thomas (1990-91), currently an EMU assistant coach, who had 89 and Earl Boykins (1997-98) with 85.
Medlock, a 6-foot point guard, was one of the key players on the team in 2006-07 before suffering a season-ending broken ankle against Buffalo (Jan. 27, 2007). Despite playing just 19 games, Medlock led the team in scoring at 13.2 rebounds and his 63 assists was good for second on the squad.
Lewis, a 6-foot-2 guard, finished his junior year as one of the top defensive players in the MAC. A starting wide receiver on the EMU football team, Lewis joined the team after the football season was completed and played in 25 games, earning 20 starts. He averaged 2.7 points and 4.9 rebounds.
The 6-foot-8 Cashen turned in an outstanding four-year EMU career in 2006-07, averaging 4.7 points and 2.9 rebounds. His three-point field goal at the buzzer helped the Eagles pull out a 62-61 win over IPFW (Dec. 31, 2006).
Knaub, a 6-foot-10 senior, played in 22 games this past season and finished with a 3.1 scoring average and a 2.3 rebound mark.
Dumes, a 6-foot-2 guard, was another one of the outstanding group of Eagle freshmen this year and finished with an 8.1 scoring average. The 6-foot-8 Dobbins, averaged 5.8 points and 4.1 rebounds.
Eastern Michigan University 2006-07 Men’s Basketball Awards
(As chosen by the coaching staff)
Grant Long Most Valuable Player Award - Jesse Bunkley and Carlos Medlock
Earl Boykins Defensive Player of the Year Award - Travis Lewis
Earle Higgins Leadership Award - Craig Cashen
Jack Brusewitz Hustle & Spirit Award - Chris Knaub
Dan Hoff Scholar-Athlete Award - Devon Dumes
Harold Simons Most Improved Player Award - Justin Dobbins
Andy Herold Manager of the Year Award - Marlon Murray
