Men's Basketball Team Awards Announced

April 15, 2005

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The Providence College men's basketball squad announced its annual team awards for the 2004-05 season on Friday, April 15 at the team banquet at the Providence Biltmore.

Senior forward Ryan Gomes of Waterbury, Conn., earned the team's Jimmy Walker Most Valuable Player Award for the third consecutive season. He joins Ernie DiGregorio as the only other Friar to earn the honor three times. Gomes became just the second Friar ever to lead the BIG EAST in scoring as he averaged 23.2 points per game in league action. He also led the BIG EAST in scoring overall, recording a 21.6 points per game average. Additionally, Gomes finished fifth in the league in rebounds with 8.2 per contest, and posted 40 double-doubles during his career, including six this season. He also scored 20 or more points in 20 of the team's 31 games. Gomes registered a career-high 37 points versus Connecticut on February 15. It was one of three games this season in which he scored 30 or more points. Gomes surpassed Friar great Jimmy Walker as the College's all-time leading scorer, finishing his career with 2,138 points. He also had 1,028 career rebounds, which ranks fifth all-time at PC. He became the first Friar ever to surpass 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds. For his efforts, he was named First Team All-BIG EAST and Associated Press Honorable Mention All-America. Gomes is the first Friar to earn two First Team All-BIG EAST honors.

Senior forward Tuukka Kotti (Forssa, Finland) was named the recipient of the Marvin Barnes Defensive Player Award. Kotti finished second on the team in rebounding (5.8 rpg) and tied for third in blocked shots (28). Kotti also registered 40 steals. He also was one of the team's most consistent scorers, averaging 9.9 points per game.

Sophomore center Herbert Hill (Kinston, N.C.) received the squad's Unsung Hero Award. Hill started 20 of the 30 games he played in 2004-05. He averaged 4.8 points per game after shooting an impressive 57.6 percent (68-118) from the field. Hill also averaged 3.4 rebounds per game and was second on the team in blocked shots with 45.

Junior guard Donnie McGrath (Katonah, N.Y.) received the John Zannini Coaches' Award. McGrath played in 30 games this season and averaged 9.7 points per game. For the third consecutive season, McGrath led the Friars in assists with 115 (3.83 apg). He also was an impressive 72-175 (41.1 percent) from behind the three-point arc. On February 2, McGrath tied the NCAA record for three-point field goal percentage in a game as he was 9-9 from three-point territory versus Virginia. In 91 career games, McGrath ranks second all-time at Providence in three-point field goals as he has recorded 197. He also has registered 873 career points.

Freshman guard Ray Cross (Cumberland, R.I.) was presented with the Thomas Ramos Award for the top grade point average on the team. Cross has recorded a cumulative grade point average of 3.47.

Sophomore guard Dwight Brewington (Lynn, Mass.) earned the Coca-Cola Most Improved Player Award. He finished second on the team in scoring, averaging 13.3 points per game. He also averaged 4.3 rebounds per game Last season, Brewington averaged 5.7 points and 2.5 rebounds per game. He also improved his three-point shooting this season as he shot 33.8 percent (44-130). In 2004, Brewington shot 28.6 percent (16-56) from behind the three-point arc.

Freshman Randall Hanke (New York, N.Y.) received the team's Promising Prospect Award. Hanke played in 30 of the squad's 31 games and recorded 10 starts. He averaged 6.5 points and 3.6 rebounds per game in 2004-05. Hanke finished first on the team and fourth in the BIG EAST in blocks shots, averaging 2.07 per game. His 62 blocks marked the second highest season high for a freshman all-time at Providence. Hanke also led the team in field goal percentage at 72.2 percent (83-115), which is the highest single-season field goal percentage mark in the history of Friar basketball (minimum of 100 attempts).

2004-05 PROVIDENCE MEN'S BASKETBALL AWARDSJimmy Walker Most Valuable Player Award - Ryan GomesMarvin Barnes Defensive Player Award - Tuukka KottiUnsung Hero Award - Herbert HillJohn Zannini Coaches' Award - Donnie McGrathThomas Ramos Award (Top GPA) - Ray CrossCoca-Cola Most Improved Player - Dwight BrewingtonPromising Prospect Award - Randall Hanke

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Upcoming Event: Men's Basketball versus Nebraska on November 7, 2026 at TBA

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