April 21, 2010
Bronx, N.Y. -
Fordham University freshman forward Chris Gaston was named the 2010 Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association (MBWA) Rookie of the Year in a vote of its members it was announced today. Gaston, who was also named Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year, Collegeinsider.com Freshman All-America, and the Sporting News Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year, will receive the award at the annual MBWA Awards Dinner tonight at the Westchester Marriott.
Gaston becomes the third Ram to win the MBWA Rookie of the Year award, joining Joe Paterno (1986) and Bryant Dunston (2005). He was also the third Fordham player to earn A-10 Rookie of the Year honors, joining Bevon Robin (1998) and Dunston.
In addition to the Rookie of the Year honor, Gaston was also named to the All-Met Second Team.
Gaston, who was also named to the Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team, wrapped up the most successful freshman campaign for any Fordham men's basketball player, leading the Rams in both scoring, averaging 18.0 ppg, and rebounding, averaging 11.4 rpg. He also recorded a team-high 50 blocks, 26 steals, tying for the team lead, and 43 assists. Gaston's 504 points scored this season is a record for a Fordham freshman, surpassing Robin's former mark of 495 points in 1997-99, while his 319 rebounds is the second best for a Fordham rookie, four shy of Ed Conlin's freshman record of 323 set in 1951-52. Gaston's point total is the most for a Ram since Ken Charles netted 607 points in 28 games in 1972-73 while his rebound total is the best for a Fordham player since Damon Lopez pulled down 328 in 32 games in 1989-90.
On the season, Gaston recorded 19 doubles-doubles, the most doubles-doubles for a Fordham player over the past 40 years.
Gaston, who was named Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week four times in 2009-2010, currently led the Atlantic 10 in rebounding and defensive rebounding (7.3/game), was ranked second in offensive rebounding (4.1/game), fourth in scoring, sixth in blocked shots (1.8/game) and tenth in field goal percentage (44.9%). In the national rankings, Gaston ranked fifth in rebounding and tied for ninth in double-doubles while tying for 66th in scoring and 72nd in blocked shots. He led all NCAA freshmen in rebounding and was second among all NCAA freshmen in scoring and doubles-doubles (Lehigh's C.J. McCollom led all freshmen in scoring, averaging 19.1 ppg, while Kentucky's DeMarcus Cousins had 20 doubles-doubles).
Gaston also led the A-10 with three 30-point performances and pulled down at least 10 rebounds on 20 different occasions.
