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Men’s Basketball: Bartley Top Newcomer; Cajuns Land Three All-LSWA PicksLAFAYETTE – Senior Jay Wright earned a spot on the first team and Frank Bartley was selected as the Newcomer of the Year as the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns men’s basketball team placed three players on the 2016-17 Louisiana Sports Writers Association Men’s College Basketball Team that was released on Saturday. Bryce Washington joined Bartley as a third-team selection as Louisiana placed the most players on the 19-player team. Bartley, a transfer from BYU, averaged 15.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game in his first season with the Ragin’ Cajuns. The Sun Belt Conference Newcomer of the Year and third-team All-SBC pick finished among the league leaders in scoring, assists, steals, free throw percentage and 3-pointers made. He scored 20 or more points in nine games, including a career-high 31 points, going 7-for-15 from behind the 3-point line, at Georgia State. Wright, a first-team selection, led Louisiana in scoring (16.2), assists (3.9) and steals (2.0) and was named the Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Year and a Lefty Driesell Defensive All-American. He scored 20 or more points a team-high 12 times in 2016-17 with a career-high 28 points coming in games against McNeese State and ULM. Washington, a junior from New Orleans, averaged a double-double for the Ragin’ Cajuns with 13.5 points and 11.2 rebounds per game. One of the top rebounders in the country, Washington finished in the top five among NCAA players in double-doubles (22), offensive rebounds per game and total rebounds. Washington led the Sun Belt Conference in field goal percentage for the second straight year and scored in double figures in 27 games with a career-high tying 25 coming against South Alabama. New Orleans claimed two of the special LSWA honors as Erik Thomas was named Player of the Year with Mark Slessinger selected as Coach of the Year. Louisiana Tech’s DaQuan Bracey was voted as Freshman of the Year.
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