April 8, 2006

KINGSTON, R.I. - The Rhode Island men's basketball team honored nine student-athletes at its annual awards banquet, Friday, hosted by the URI Fast Break Club at Alpine Country Club in Cranston, R.I.

Senior guard Dawan Robinson was named the Ernie Calverley Most Valuable Player after leading the Rams in points (16.0), assists (4.3) and steals (1.9) per game en route to garnering First-Team All-Atlantic 10 honors. In only three full seasons at Rhode Island, Robinson finished 25th on URI's all-time scoring list with 1,269 points, and also stands fifth with 151 steals and ninth with 291 assists.

Senior forward Jamaal Wise was named the Fast Break Club Fan Favorite Award winner after leading Rhode Island with 5.9 rebounds per game, while finishing third with 10.5 points per game. He was the only Ram to start all 28 games.

Senior forward Terrence Mack and freshman guard Jimmy Baron each received Scholar Athlete Awards. Mack, a communications major, saw action in 22 games, finishing second on the team with a .488 field goal percentage. Baron was named to the A-10 All-Rookie Team after finishing fourth for the Rams with 8.6 points per game, including a team-high 44 three-point field goals.

Senior center Jon Clark and senior guard Tyrese Sullivan both were honored with the Bill Woodward Spirit of URI Award. Clark started all but one game the entire season and finished his career 10th in program history with 117 games played. Sullivan was the Rams' back-up point guard that saw action in 24 games, including four starts throughout the season.

Sophomore forward Will Daniels was named the team's Most Improved Player. He finished second on the team with 11.0 points and 5.7 rebounds per game, starting 25 of 28 games during the season.

Sophomore guard Parfait Bitee was named the Defensive Player of the Year. He broke into the starting lineup in URI's third game of the season and stayed there until suffering a season-ending foot injury versus Saint Louis on Feb. 1. He averaged 6.3 points and 3.0 rebounds while leading the Rams with a .368 3-point field goal percentage.

The team's Sixth Man Award went to senior team manager Sam Gillson. A four-year member of the team, he will graduate this spring with a degree in accounting.

Rhode Island finished the season with a 14-14 record, including an 8-8 mark in the A-10, falling in the first round of the Atlantic 10 Tournament to Temple.