2008 Woodie Awards
BSU men's basketball earns five WAC awards
TATE CASTLETON
Sports Writer
Issue date: 3/8/07 Section: Sports
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Boise State men’s basketball senior guard Coby Karl came to BSU as a walk-on four years ago. Thursday night Karl will lead his team into the Western Athletic Conference tournament having been named to this season’s first-team All-WAC squad in his final year.
“It’s a great honor to be recognized,” Karl said.
“I think this recognition is more an indication of what kind of team we are as a whole and shows how far we’ve come as a group.”
The first-team honor is Karl’s first and is remarkably only the second such honor bestowed upon a Bronco since joining the WAC. For Karl, though, it’s more than just an award. It’s an indication of just how far he’s come individually.
“I came in as a bright-eyed 19-year old and will leave a better person,” Karl said. “I’ve changed a lot mentally and physically and I’ve learned so much along the way.”
Karl was named second-team All-WAC as a junior when he averaged just over 18 points per game in 2005. Although Karl’s numbers have slightly declined this season (14.8 points per game) he has played a pivotal role as a leader on and
off the court.
“All my numbers are down from last year, but I think I’ve been better because of the people around me,” Karl said. “The guys are great and we work hard to do the best we can.”
Four other Broncos were given WAC honors as well this week.
Senior guard Eric Lane earned a spot on the WAC all-defensive team. Lane averaged nearly 10 points and 2.2 rebounds per game this season and was often given the most difficult assignments on defense.
“It’s definitely an honor to be recognized in any category in the WAC,” Lane said. “To be recognized as a good defender is special because it’s something I’ve definitely taken pride in while I’ve been here.”
Lane is the first Bronco to be placed on the all-defensive team since Boise State’s Jason Ellis was honored in both the 2004 and 2005 seasons.
Freshman guard Anthony Thomas was named WAC Freshman of the Year after averaging five points and 1.6 rebounds per game this season. Thomas previously made headlines when he was named WAC Player of the Week in February for his performance against University of Albany in the Broncos Bracket Buster game.
Thomas is the first BSU freshman to win Freshman of the Year honors in over a decade.
Gerry Washington claimed the honor in the Big Sky Conference in 1996.
“I just tried to go out and play my best every night,” Anthony said. “It’s a great feeling to be recognized by the WAC and it’s a nice thing to build on for next season.”
Junior forwards Matt Nelson and Reggie Larry were both named to the WAC all-newcomer team.
Nelson led the Broncos in rebounding (9.1 per game) and together with Reggie Larry to form a dynamic tandem inside. Both players averaged nearly 14 points per game this season as well.
“It always feels good when you are given credit for playing your hardest,” Nelson said. “With these awards we know we’re a good team and that we can compete with anyone in the WAC when we play our best basketball.”
Being an impact player was important to Matt Nelson. He led the team in field goal percentage this season making 58.7 percent of his shots. Reggie Larry excelled in league play, averaging 15.1 points and 8.8 rebounds per game.
Nelson and Larry are the first Broncos to be named to the
WAC All-Newcomer Team since Aaron Haynes was selected to the team in 2003.
“It’s a great honor to be recognized,” Karl said.
“I think this recognition is more an indication of what kind of team we are as a whole and shows how far we’ve come as a group.”
The first-team honor is Karl’s first and is remarkably only the second such honor bestowed upon a Bronco since joining the WAC. For Karl, though, it’s more than just an award. It’s an indication of just how far he’s come individually.
“I came in as a bright-eyed 19-year old and will leave a better person,” Karl said. “I’ve changed a lot mentally and physically and I’ve learned so much along the way.”
Karl was named second-team All-WAC as a junior when he averaged just over 18 points per game in 2005. Although Karl’s numbers have slightly declined this season (14.8 points per game) he has played a pivotal role as a leader on and
off the court.
“All my numbers are down from last year, but I think I’ve been better because of the people around me,” Karl said. “The guys are great and we work hard to do the best we can.”
Four other Broncos were given WAC honors as well this week.
Senior guard Eric Lane earned a spot on the WAC all-defensive team. Lane averaged nearly 10 points and 2.2 rebounds per game this season and was often given the most difficult assignments on defense.
“It’s definitely an honor to be recognized in any category in the WAC,” Lane said. “To be recognized as a good defender is special because it’s something I’ve definitely taken pride in while I’ve been here.”
Lane is the first Bronco to be placed on the all-defensive team since Boise State’s Jason Ellis was honored in both the 2004 and 2005 seasons.
Freshman guard Anthony Thomas was named WAC Freshman of the Year after averaging five points and 1.6 rebounds per game this season. Thomas previously made headlines when he was named WAC Player of the Week in February for his performance against University of Albany in the Broncos Bracket Buster game.
Thomas is the first BSU freshman to win Freshman of the Year honors in over a decade.
Gerry Washington claimed the honor in the Big Sky Conference in 1996.
“I just tried to go out and play my best every night,” Anthony said. “It’s a great feeling to be recognized by the WAC and it’s a nice thing to build on for next season.”
Junior forwards Matt Nelson and Reggie Larry were both named to the WAC all-newcomer team.
Nelson led the Broncos in rebounding (9.1 per game) and together with Reggie Larry to form a dynamic tandem inside. Both players averaged nearly 14 points per game this season as well.
“It always feels good when you are given credit for playing your hardest,” Nelson said. “With these awards we know we’re a good team and that we can compete with anyone in the WAC when we play our best basketball.”
Being an impact player was important to Matt Nelson. He led the team in field goal percentage this season making 58.7 percent of his shots. Reggie Larry excelled in league play, averaging 15.1 points and 8.8 rebounds per game.
Nelson and Larry are the first Broncos to be named to the
WAC All-Newcomer Team since Aaron Haynes was selected to the team in 2003.
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