Stuckey earns Big Sky honor

Miss the postseason and the awards shrink.

Though he was again a unanimous All-Big Sky Conference selection, Eastern Washington sophomore star Rodney Stuckey did not repeat as the Most Valuable Player.

After a record-breaking freshman season when the Eagles finished third, Stuckey became only the 12th freshman in college basketball to earn his league’s MVP.

His numbers were as good or better almost across the board this year, but with the Eagles finishing seventh and failing to make the conference tournament, the MVP award went to senior David Patten of Weber State, the surprise co-Big Sky champion with Northern Arizona.

Stuckey, who averaged 24.6 points, 5.52 assists and 2.45 steals, Northern Arizona senior Ruben Boykin Jr. and Patten were unanimous first-team picks. Stuckey, Boyken and Idaho State senior David Schroeder were repeat first-team picks. Also on the first team are Jordan Hasquet, a sophomore from Montana, and NAU senior Tyrone Brazy.

Stuckey, a 6-foot-5 guard from Kent, Wash., who is considering making himself available for the NBA draft, is seventh nationally in scoring, about six points more than the second-place scorer in the conference. His assists and steals are second in the Big Sky.

Eastern senior Paul Butorac received honorable mention.

Portland State’s Dupree Lucas was named Newcomer of the Year. Montana’s Cameron Rundles was Freshman of the Year, and teammate Bryan Ellis earned Defensive Player of the Year.