Ragin’ Cajuns freshman Mylik Wilson among Sun Belt postseason basketball awards honorees

Rayville native one of nine Division I players nationally averaging 11/5/2/2

NEW ORLEANS – A spectacular inaugural season for Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Men’s Basketball guard Mylik Wilson culminated in his first postseason award as he was named the Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year on Thursday in a vote by the league’s head coaches and media.

Wilson, a native of Rayville, La., led all Sun Belt freshmen in scoring (11.4), rebounds (5.5), steals (2.4) and minutes played (34.0). The selection of Wilson as the Sun Belt Freshman of the Year marked the sixth time a Ragin’ Cajuns basketball player earned the award and the first since Shawn Long was selected in 2013.

During the regular-season for Louisiana, Wilson finished fourth overall in scoring (11.4), was tied for third in rebounds (5.5), second in assists (2.9) and led the team in steals (2.4).

Wilson scored in double figures 15 times during the 2019-20 season, highlighted by a career-high 30 points in a come-from-behind win at Appalachian State on Jan. 6. He posted his first career double-double two days earlier against Troy, scoring 18 points and pulling down a career-best 13 rebounds.

In Sun Belt Conference play, Wilson averaged 12.7 points and 6.2 rebounds per game to lead all freshmen with his 2.5 steals tied for the most overall in league action.

One of only nine players at the Division I level during the 2019-20 season to average 11 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals per game, Wilson joins a list of 21 freshmen (includes James Harden and Zion Williamson) dating back to the 1992-93 season to post similar numbers.

Louisiana, the No. 8 seed in the upcoming Sun Belt Conference Men’s Basketball Championships, will host ninth-seeded Arkansas State in a first round game on Saturday at the Cajundome. Tipoff is scheduled for 11 a.m.

Reserved courtside tickets in the first four rows are $15 and include access to the premium courtside clubs. Tickets in rows five and above are $10. Additional fees may apply. Purchases can be made online, over the phone by calling (337) 265-2170, or at the Cajundome Box Office.

Season ticket holders have the opportunity to purchase their seats if purchased by Friday at noon. Non-season ticket holders will be able to purchase their tickets at a later announced time.

Parking lots at the Cajundome will open at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday. Regular-season parking rules and regulations will still apply. RCAF investors are able and encouraged to use their parking passes.

Follow the Ragin’ Cajuns on Twitter (@RaginCajunsMBB), Facebook (RaginCajunsMBB) or Instagram (@RaginCajunsMBB) to stay up-to-date on all that is happening with Louisiana Men’s Basketball.

SUN BELT FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR (Louisiana selections)

1994 – Barry Bowman

1995 – Reggie Poole

2002 – Michael Southall

2007 – Elijah Millsap

2013 – Shawn Long

2020 – Mylik Wilson

2019-20 SUN BELT MEN’S BASKETBALL POSTSEASON HONORS
All-Sun Belt First Team
Justin Forrest, Appalachian State (Jr., G, Decatur, Ga.)
Ruot Monyyong, Little Rock (Jr., F, Nashville, Tenn.)
Markquis Nowell, Little Rock (So., G, Harlem, N.Y.)
Josh Ajayi, South Alabama (RSr., F, El Monte, Calif.)
Nijal Pearson, Texas State (Sr., G, Beaumont, Texas)

All-Sun Belt Second Team
DeVante Jones, Coastal Carolina (So., G, New Orleans, La.)
Quan Jackson, Georgia Southern (RJr., G, Tallahassee, Fla.)
Kane Williams, Georgia State (Jr., G, Douglasville, Ga.)
Michael Ertel, ULM (Jr., G, Indianapolis, Ind.)
David Azore, UTA (RSo., G, Houston, Texas)

All-Sun Belt Third Team
Kamani Johnson, Little Rock (So., F, Brooklyn, N.Y.)
Marquis Eaton, Arkansas State (Jr., G, Helena, Ark.)
Ike Smith, Georgia Southern (RSr., G, Gainesville, Fla.)
Justin Roberts, Georgia State (So., G, Indianapolis, Ind.)
Trhae Mitchell, South Alabama (RSr., F, Austell, Ga.)

Player of the Year
Nijal Pearson, Texas State (Sr., G, Beaumont, Texas)

Defensive Player of the Year
Ruot Monyyong, Little Rock (Jr., F, Nashville, Tenn.)

Freshman of the Year
Mylik Wilson, Louisiana (Fr., G, Rayville, La.)

Newcomer of the Year
Ruot Monyyong, Little Rock (Jr., F, Nashville, Tenn.)

Joe Gottfried Coach of the Year
Darrell Walker, Little Rock