ALEX GROSS RECONGIZED ON THE BEVO FRANCIS TOP 25 WATCH LIST
RIO GRANDE, Ohio – Olivet Nazarene University men's basketball center Alex Gross was named to the Small College Basketball Bevo Francis Top 25 Watch List as the organization announced the narrowed down list on Tuesday.
Gross becomes the second Tiger to be named to this list and first since Nic Reed in 2020, who finished as a finalist. Gross is the only Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) player to make this prestigious list this season. Gross is also one of seven NAIA players represented on the watch list as well.
Gross had a phenomenal season for the Tigers. The Tiger big man led the NAIA in variety of categories which includes total points (808), rebounds a game (14.1), total rebounds (480), total defensive rebounds (393), and blocks (110). Gross also was second with 318 made field goals and fifth with 192 assists and with 23.8 points a game. Earlier this season, Gross broke the program record for the most rebounds in a single-season with 480 rebounds.
Gross has made his mark here at ONU becoming the fifth player to score over 2,000 points in his career as he finished with 2,021 points. Gross is also first in program history with 363 blocks second with 1,226 rebounds, fourth with 815 made field goals, and is seventh with 379 free throws made. This season, Gross has recorded three triple-doubles, and 31 double-doubles. This season, Gross earned seven CCAC Men's Basketball Player of the Week and three NAIA Men's Basketball Player of the Week selections. As a team, the Tigers finished with a program record 31 wins including 21 wins in league play.
The Clarence "Bevo" Francis Award is presented annually to the player who has had the finest overall season within Small College Basketball. Considerations will be season statistics and individual achievements, awards, personal character and team achievements. This is an incredibly prestigious award, as this award will only be given to one player within Small College Basketball per season.
The finalists for the Bevo Francis Award will be determined on Saturday, April 2nd. The winner will be announced on Monday, April 4th.
Click here to learn more about the award and to find the full list
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*Contact: Sam Viebrock, Sports Information Director, stviebrock@olivet.edu