Daniel Kickert Garners Third WCC All-Conference Selection
2/28/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 28, 2006
Moraga, CA -- Saint Mary's senior forward Daniel Kickert was named to the First Team All-West Coast Conference team for the third consecutive year. Along with Kickert, freshman forward Diamon Simpson was named to the WCC's All-Freshmen team.
Daniel Kickert earned his third straight All-WCC honor after averaging 17.4 points per game and is the fifth leading scorer in the WCC. Once again, Kickert, a 6-10 forward displayed his ability to shot the basketball by leading the WCC in 3-point field goal percentage, making 45.9 percent of his shots from behind the arc. Kickert made 56-of-122 shots from 3-point land during his senior campaign. The Australia native was outstanding from the free throw line as well, making 90.2 percent (92-102) of his shots from the charity stripe to finish the season in second place in the WCC. Kickert led the WCC in free throw percentage during conference play at 94.4 percent, making 51-of-54 attempts.
Kickert scored in double figures in 22 of 26 games and eclipsed the 20-point mark 12 times. During the 14-game WCC schedule, he was held under double figures twice and scored 20 or more points six times. He recorded two double-doubles this season, bringing his career total to 12, with 22 points and 10 boards against Southeastern Louisiana and 17 points and 11 rebounds at Portland.
 Diamon Simpson led the Gaels with 40 blocked shots during the regular season.  | |
Simpson played a big part in SMC leading the conference in scoring defense for the fifth straight season, as he totaled 40 blocked shots in 27 games. The 40 blocks set a Saint Mary's freshman record and currently ranks as the second most blocks in a single season by a Gael. He's second in the WCC in total blocks while averaging 1.48 blocks per game.
Adam Morrison was honored with West Coast Conference Player of the Year honors for leading the Zags to their second perfect 14-0 run through the WCC in the last three seasons. Gonzaga head coach Mark Few was awarded his sixth consecutive WCC Coach of the Year honor for guiding the Bulldogs to their record sixth consecutive regular season crown. Rounding out this year's conference awards was San Diego's Corey Belser earning Defensive Player of the Year honors, while San Francisco's Armondo Surratt was tabbed as the conference's Newcomer of the Year.
2006 ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM Name School HT. Pos. YR. Hometown J.P. Batista GON 6-9 F/C SR Olinda, Pernambuco, Brazil Pooh Jeter POR 5-11 G SR Gardena, CA Daniel Kickert SMC 6-10 F JR Melbourne, Australia Matthew Knight LMU 6-8 F JR Burnie, Tasmania, Australia Nick Lewis USD 6-10 F SR Paradise Valley, AZ Adam Morrison GON 6-8 G JR Spokane, WA Travis Niesen SCU 6-7 F SR Mission Viejo, CA Armondo Surratt USF 6-0 G JR Oakland, CA Wes Wardrop LMU 6-3 G SR Anaheim, CA Brandon Worthy LMU 6-2 G JR San Jose, CA *Previous times on All-WCC First Team
HONORABLE MENTION Pepperdine: Tashaan Forehan-Kelly; Portland: Darren Cooper; San Diego: Corey Belser, Ross DeRogatis; San Francisco: Alan Wiggins, Jr.
2006 ALL-FRESHMEN TEAM Name School HT Pos. Hometown John Bryant SCU 6-11 C San Pablo, CA Michael Gerrity PEP 6-0 G Yorba Linda, CA Brandon Johnson USD 6-0 G Houston, TX Gyno Pomare USD 6-7 F/C Oceanside, CA Diamon Simpson SMC 6-7 F Hayward, CA
MBB | Highlights from Mickey McConnell's Introductory Press Conference
Wednesday, March 25
MBB | Mickey McConnell Introductory Press Conference, 3-25-26
Wednesday, March 25
MBB | Liam Campbell, Joshua Dent and Randy Bennett Postgame Interview vs Texas A&M, 3-19-26, presented by University Credit Union
Thursday, March 19
MBB | Harry Wessels, Joshua Dent and Rory Hawke Featured on ESPN Australia
Wednesday, March 18
