UNLV guard Bryce Hamilton named All-Mountain West

By Mike Grimala (contact)

Monday, March 2, 2020 | 9:22 a.m.

Small-ball is sweeping the Mountain West awards, as UNLV sophomore Bryce Hamilton was one of five guards chosen to the All-MWC first team as voted on by the media on Monday.

Hamilton averaged 20.9 points per game in conference play despite starting just 11 of 18 contests and logging a relatively low 30.5 minutes. The Pasadena native posted nine 20-point games, shot 50.3 percent and also pulled down 6.8 rebounds.

The rest of the first team was comprised of guards Malachi Flynn (San Diego State), Jalen Harris (UNR), Sam Merrill (Utah State) and Justinian Jessup (Boise State). Flynn was also selected as the conference’s Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year after posting 18.9 points and 4.7 assists per game for the regular-season champs.

Utah State sophomore center Neemia Queta was selected as the Defensive Player of the Year. He blocked 1.7 shots per game and altered many more; with Queta anchoring the defense, the Aggies held opponents to 53.1-percent shooting around the rim, by far the best mark in the Mountain West.

The All-MWC second team included Queta, forward Nico Carvacho (Colorado State), forward Matt Mitchell (San Diego State), guard Derrick Alston (Boise State) and forward Justin Bean (Utah State).

Brian Dutcher was the Coach of the Year after leading San Diego State to a 17-1 record and a top-5 national ranking.

Amauri Hardy was the only other UNLV player to receive votes, as he landed on the honorable mention list. Colorado State guard Isaiah Stevens was the Freshman of the Year and UNR guard Nisre Zouzoua was the 6^th Man of the Year.

The All-MWC third team was made up of guard Jazz Johnson (UNR), forward Yanni Wetzell (San Diego State), forward Lavelle Scottie (Air Force), guard Seneca Knight (San Jose State), forward Nate Grimes (Fresno State) and guard Hunter Maldonado (Wyoming).

The full All-Mountain West awards:

First team

Malachi Flynn, San Diego State

Jalen Harris, UNR

Sam Merrill, Utah State

Bryce Hamilton, UNLV

Justinian Jessup, Boise State

Second team

Nico Carvacho, Colorado State

Matt Mitchell, San Diego State

Derrick Alston, Boise State

Neemias Queta, Utah State

Justin Bean, Utah State

Third team

Jazz Johnson, UNR

Yanni Wetzell, San Diego State

Lavell Scottie, Air Force

Seneca Knight, San Jose State

Nate Grimes, Fresno State

Hunter Maldonado, Wyoming

Player of the Year: Flynn

Coach of the Year: Brian Dutcher

Defensive Player of the Year: Queta

Newcomer of the Year: Flynn

Freshman of the Year: Isaiah Stevens, Colorado State

6^th Man of the Year: Nisre Zouzoua, UNR

Mike Grimala can be reached at 702-948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Mike on Twitter at twitter.com/mikegrimala.