Papa Dia named CUSA defensive player of the year

by **mustangxc** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 1:25 pm

http://conferenceusa.cstv.com/sports/m- ... 11aae.html

Congrats Papa!!!

by **Harry0569** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 1:55 pm

Hopefully gets the POY too. Congrats!!

by **ponyte** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 2:10 pm

A well earned honor. Congrats to Dia. And thanks for a great season.

by **ponyboy** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 2:23 pm

What are his chances at the next level?

by **hoopmanx** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 2:29 pm

He's been an absolute monster.

He'll get paid really good money to play, just not sure it'll be in the US

by **Harry0569** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 2:34 pm

Doh seems to think he can play in the NBA, but I think he's too undersized. I have a buddy who works for a b-ball agent who works primarily with clients that play overseas, and he thinks that Dia could make good money overseas.

by **ponyte** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 3:07 pm

I just hope he has the opportunity to play about 9 more games in an SMU uniform.

by **Monkeystang** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 3:08 pm

I think he will go overseas for a few years at least. I don't see him going straight into the NBA. He is a great player and I think he has the talent. I just think he needs a little more time.

by **One Trick Pony** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 3:25 pm

Kudos to PaPa

by **PonyPlayer4** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 3:32 pm

Not sure he fits on any NBA team as a legit 4. He doesn't have the ball handling skills to play SF.

by **PonyPlayer4** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 3:33 pm

And oh yeah. Congrats to Papa. He has been an absolute beast this year and I have enjoyed watching him play and progress/mature throughout his career.

by **Mustangsabu** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 5:10 pm

My guess is that they will give the POY to someone else, but this is a real honor for Papa and for SMU. It highlights what has been a great year.

by **DanFreibergerForHeisman** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 5:25 pm

What fantastic news. Definitely well deserved!

by **PonyPride** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 5:35 pm

SMUMustangs.com's version:

SMU MBB: Papa Dia Named C-USA Defensive Player Of The Year
Dia, A C-USA Player Of The Year Finalist, Leads League In Blocked Shots

March 8, 2011

IRVING, Texas (SMU/C-USA) - SMU senior forward Papa Dia was selected the 2011 Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year and a member of the C-USA All-Defensive Team as voted by the C-USA head coaches and media. Dia, a finalist for C-USA Player of the Year, was named All-Conference USA First-Team on Monday. Dia has helped lead SMU to its highest win total (17) since 2002-03 as well as its most wins (8) in Conference USA and best seed (No. 7) in the C-USA Championship.

Dia leads Conference USA in blocked shots (2.2) on the season and in C-USA games (2.9). He has had multiple blocked shots 21 times this season, including in 13 of 16 C-USA contests. He also ranks fifth in C-USA for defensive rebounds (6.2). Dia's seven blocked shots against Houston on Jan. 15 are the most in a league game this season while his six blocks at Tulsa on Jan. 26 are tied for second. Dia anchors a Mustang squad that leads the league in scoring defense (61.6).

Dia was a preseason All-Conference USA selection and has been named Player of the Week three times. Dia is also averaging 18.5 points (4th C-USA) and 9.0 rebounds (3rd C-USA) while shooting 58.2 percent (1st C-USA, 18th NCAA) from the field and 78.7 percent at the free throw line (10th C-USA). He has 13 double-doubles, which is second in the league. In Conference USA games, Dia finished second in the league in scoring (20.0), second in rebounds (9.6), first in blocked shots (2.9) and first in field goal percentage (.559). He has scored at least 20 points 14 times this season and had at least 8 rebounds 24 times. Dia is 14th at SMU in career points (1353), fifth in rebounds (847), fifth in blocked shots (132) and 10th in field goal percentage (51.7).

Dia is the second Mustang ever to earn the league defensive player of the year honor. Jon Koncak garnered the award in the Southwest Conference for the 1984-85 season.

The Mustangs have three C-USA honorees so far this season. Robert Nyakundi was selected All-Conference USA Third-Team and Collin Mangrum was named to the Conference USA All-Academic Team.

by **pwnyxpress** » Wed Mar 09, 2011 7:40 am

Outstanding, a well deserved award!