Pride men’s basketball players Luqman Tijani, Damian Dixon, Chakiris Moss and Brian Thomas earned USA South All-Conference recognition. Tijani headlined the group with a First Team selection, and was joined by Dixon on the Second Team, Moss on the Honorable Mention Team and Thomas on the All-Sportsmanship Team. Greensboro was the lone school to have a representative on each of the three All-Conference squads.
Tijani earned First Team honors after a senior campaign that saw him average 18.0 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game. He ranked first on the team and fourth in the USA South in scoring and was one of of five Pride players in the top eight in the conference in steals. For the year, Tijani scored in double figures 20 times with a season high 28 points in a win over Barber-Scotia on January 30.
“Luqman is very deserving of this honor,” said head coach Bryan Galuski. “Throughout this season, Luqman has been our most consistent scorer. He has worked extremely hard over the last four years to get to this point in his career and I am very proud of him.”
Dixon had a stellar junior season, ranking second on the team and fifth in the USA South in scoring with 16.0 points per game. He also posted a conference best 2.2 steals a game to lead the Greensboro defense. Dixon hit the double digit mark in scoring 19 times, with a season best 28 points against Barber-Scotia on January 30. He also posted a 17 point, ten steal game in a victory over Montreat on November 17.
“Damian certainly had a bounce back junior season,” Galuski added. “His growth as a player was evident during this year. This accomplishment is a great honor and something to build upon moving into next season.”
Moss capped his career with an Honorable Mention All-Conference selection after becoming the lock down defensive leader and top assist man for The Pride. He finished the season averaging 8.1 points per game and ranked in the top five of the conference in steals with 1.8 and assists with 4.3.
“Chakiris is the backbone of our team,” said Galuski. “His ability to lead by example and bring consistent intensity day in and day out certainly had a contagious effect on all of us. I am fortunate to have him as the leader of our team.”
Thomas received All-Sportsmanship recognition after scoring 10.8 points with 4.5 rebounds per contest during his senior season. He finished the regular season with 17 double digit scoring performances.