Regular season co-champions
Devon Lewis of No. 20 California Lutheran University and
Omari Ferguson of No. 11 University of Redlands have been named the SCIAC David Wells Athlete and Defensive Athlete of the Year atop the 2024-25 All-Conference teams.
Lewis compiled an all-around and efficient stat line while leading the Kingsmen to a share of a second consecutive regular season title and the top seed of the SCIAC Tournament that they won in 2023. The senior guard shot 45.3/39.1/78.9 percent FG/3FG/FT while ranking third in three-pointers made (2.8), fourth in scoring (20.1) and ninth in assists (3.2) and steals (1.4) per game with multiple game-winning buckets.
Ferguson spearheaded the trademark relentlessly frenetic Redlands defense that forced a league-leading 19.9 turnovers per game with a margin of 6.9 leading to a conference-best scoring margin of 16.3 points. Ferguson ranked fourth in steals (2.1) while the Bulldogs allowed just 70.1 points per game and a meager .318 three-point percentage.
Occidental rookie
Nasir Luna was named Newcomer of the Year after ranking fifth in the SCIAC with 19.9 points per game on 49.6/39.1/88.9 percent FG/3FG/FT while also nabbing 1.9 steals per game. Luna and fellow rookie
Alex McCleery Brown combined to average 37.6 points per game as Oxy’s leading scorers.
Oxy’s
Jacob Hamermesh secured the Ted Ducey Award, presented to a senior who exemplifies the high ideals demonstrated by Ted Ducey, former head basketball coach at Claremont College, recognizing ability, leadership, self-discipline, determination, sportsmanship and academics. A team leader who fosters a culture of respect, determination and sportsmanship, Hamermesh has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to both basketball and his community as a player, scholar and person. Past service on campus includes Programming Chair, President and Treasurer of Hillel, founding member of a Chabad Club, PA announcer for women’s lacrosse and play-by-play commentary and PA for men’s soccer in addition to two semesters tutoring K-5 students. Hamermesh has completed internships with Staple and Houlihan Lokey, as well as securing a full-time position at Alvarez and Marsal as a valuation associate upon graduation.
Mark Jensen and the Whittier College bench garnered Coaching Staff of the Year recognition after leading the Poets back to the SCIAC Tournament for the first time since back-to-back berths in 2014-15 and 2015-16. The Poets’ improvement from four to 10 wins in conference play also were the most recorded since the 2012-13 season.
Redlands led all teams with three First Team and four total All-SCIAC selections, followed by three apiece from CLU and RV Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges. Whittier also landed multiple selections with one player on each squad.
Lewis is one of two players to earn a third All-Conference nod, having made the First Team in 2024 and Second Team in 2023, along with
Joe Cookson of Pomona-Pitzer Colleges who garnered a third First Team accolade. Chapman University’s
Jake Heberle repeated on the First Team while Division III scoring leader
Aamari Smith stepped up from the Second Team. The 2024 Defensive Athlete of the Year,
Desi Burrage of CLU, made the Second Team this year as did teammate
Tommy Griffitts,
Kendrick Currey (UR) and
Neil Owens (CMS) as fellow repeats.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Athlete
of the Year |
Defensive Athlete
of the Year |
Newcomer
of the Year |
Ted Ducey
Award |
Coaching
Staff of the Year |
Devon Lewis
Cal Lutheran |
Omari Ferguson
Redlands |
Nasir Luna
Occidental |
Jacob Hamermesh
Occidental |
Mark Jensen
Whittier |
| First Team All-SCIAC |
| Name |
Institution |
Year |
Position |
Hometown |
| Devon Lewis |
Cal Lutheran |
Sr. |
G |
Pasadena, Calif. |
| Omari Ferguson |
Redlands |
Jr. |
G |
Chicago, Ill. |
| Chozen Amadi |
Redlands |
Sr. |
G |
Dallas, Texas |
| Joe Cookson |
Pomona-Pitzer |
Sr. |
G |
Mercer Island, Wash. |
| Lucas Gordon |
Redlands |
Jr. |
F |
San Marcos, Calif. |
| Jake Heberle |
Chapman |
Jr. |
G |
Mission Viejo, Calif. |
| AJ Rohosy |
CMS |
Gr. |
F |
San Anselmo, Calif. |
| Aamari Smith |
Whittier |
Sr. |
G |
Decatur, Ga. |
| Second Team All-SCIAC |
| Name |
Institution |
Year |
Position |
Hometown |
| Desi Burrage |
Cal Lutheran |
Sr. |
G |
Phoenix, Ariz. |
| Kendrick Currey |
Redlands |
Sr. |
G |
Manteca, Calif. |
| Tommy Griffitts |
Cal Lutheran |
Sr. |
F/C |
Carlsbad, Calif. |
| Caelan Jones |
CMS |
Gr. |
G |
Los Angeles, Calif. |
| Chine Nwanevu |
Whittier |
Jr. |
G/F |
Eastvale, Calif. |
| Neil Owens |
CMS |
Gr. |
G |
Pasadena, Calif. |
Follow the SCIAC on Threads (@theSCIAC), X - formerly Twitter (@theSCIAC) and Instagram (@thesciac) with hashtags #SCIACtion and #SoCalSoGood. Watch all home SCIAC games, matches, and meets online through FloSports: https://flosports.link/SCIAC