Hofstra's Tyler Thomas chosen as Haggerty Award winner
East's Tyler Thomas, of Hofstra, right and West's Jaelen House, of New Mexico, battle for the ball during the first half of the NCAA college all-star basketball game at the final four tournament, Friday, April 5, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. Credit: AP/Brynn Anderson
NEW YORK — Hofstra's Tyler Thomas was chosen as the Frank J. Haggerty Award winner Wednesday by the Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association.
Seton Hall’s Shaheen Holloway, who guided the Pirates to this season’s National Invitation Tournament title, was selected as the Peter A. Carlesimo Coach of the Year. Tariq Francis of the New Jersey Institute of Technology was announced as rookie of the year.
Thomas, who was the Coastal Athletic Association player of the year, was the second consecutive Hofstra player chosen to win the Haggerty, which has been around since 1936.
He helped lead the Pride to a 20-13 record, averaging 25.2 points a game — fourth best in the nation. He also averaged 5.2 rebounds and ranked second in Division I basketball with 3.8 3-pointers made per game.
Thomas played the past two seasons for the Pride after transferring from Sacred Heart, where he played for three years.
The award is named in memory of Lt. Frank J. Haggerty, a shortstop in baseball and co-captain/forward on the basketball team who was the first student from St. John’s killed in World War II.
The All-Met first team was Thomas, Daniss Jenkins and Joel Soriano, St. John’s; Xaivian Lee and Caden Pierce, Princeton; Xander Rice, Monmouth; and Kadary Richmond, Seton Hall.
Seton Hall head coach Shaheen Holloway celebrates with his team after an NCAA college basketball game against Indiana State for the championship of the NIT, Thursday, April 4, 2024, in Indianapolis. Seton Hall won 79-77. Credit: AP/Michael Conroy
The Met realm encompasses 21 Division I programs, and 69 colleges and universities across all divisions. All the winners will be honored at a dinner Thursday night.
