(October 24, 2006) ?C Fordham University junior forward Bryant Dunston (Queens, NY/St. John??s Prep) was named First Team Preseason All-Atlantic 10 by vote of the league??s coaches and media members it was announced today at Atlantic 10 Men's Basketball Media Day in Atlantic City. Additionally, Dunston was also named to the Preseason All-Conference Defensive Team and the Rams were picked to finish seventh in the 14-team league. Dunston, a 2006 First Team All-Atlantic 10 selection, averaged a team-high 16.1 ppg last year, fifth best in the conference, while also averaging a team-high 7.6 rpg in 2005-06, fourth best in the A-10. He led the team with 75 blocks and shot 53.5% (174-325) from the field and 48.7% (19-39) from behind the three-point arch, leading the Atlantic 10 in field goal percentage and ranking second in blocks/game. On the year, Dunston recorded nine double-doubles, the last coming in a quarterfinal win over La Salle with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Dunston, who also received 2006 Second Team All-District honors from the NABC, was named to the Paradise Jam All-Tournament Team in November after averaging 18.7 ppg and 9.0 rpg in the three-game tournament. He started all 32 games for the Rams at forward in 2005-06 and has started every game since arriving at Fordham (61 games). Over his two-year career, Dunston has scored 946 career points, placing him in 37th place on the Fordham all-time scoring list, while he has also blocked 142 career shots, good for third place on the school??s career list. Joining Dunston on the First Team are Charlotte??s De??Angelo Alexander, Xavier??s Stanley Burrell, Massachusetts?? Rashaun Freeman and Saint Louis?? Ian Vouyoukas. Joining him on the All-Defensive Team are Xavier??s Justin Cage, George Washington??s Carl Elliott, Charlotte??s Leemire Goldwire and Massachusetts?? Stephane Lasme. Xavier was selected to repeat as Atlantic 10 champions, receiving 59 first-place votes, with Massachusetts picked to finish second with four first-place votes. Saint Louis, Charlotte, George Washington and Dayton, were chosen third through sixth, respectively, with the Rams picked to finish seventh. Saint Joseph??s was selected for eighth followed by Temple, La Salle, Rhode Island, Richmond, Duquesne and St. Bonaventure. The Rams, who finished 16-16 overall last year and 9-7 in the Atlantic 10, open the 2006-07 exhibition season on Wednesday, November 1st when they host Bloomfield College at 7:00 p.m. in the Rose Hill Gym. They open the regular season on Friday, November 10th by hosting Sacred Heart University at 9:00 p.m.