MANKATO, MINN. --- Minnesota State senior center Travis Nelson, junior guard Jefferson Mason and head coach Matt Margenthaler were all honored Wednesday by the National Basketball Coaches Association (NABC) for their efforts this past season.
Both Nelson and Mason were named to the First-Team All-Central Region squad by the NABC, which is voted on by head coaches who are members within the organization.
Nelson averaged 16.1 points and 5.8 rebounds this past season for the Mavericks. A two-time All-NSIC performer Nelson shot 57.1 percent from the floor this year and 78.6 percent from the free throw line. The Marion, Iowa native finished his career as a Maverick with 971 points is fourth on the school’s career field goal percentage list at 56.5 percent.
Nelson also learned Wednesday that he will play in the 2010 NABC/Division II All-Star game held in conjunction with the Elite 8 in Springfield, Mass. He becomes the third Maverick in school history to play in the game, joining Luke Anderson (2007) and Atila Santos (2008). The all-star game will be played at 7 p.m., on Friday, March 26.
Mason averaged 15.9 points per game in his debut season with the Mavericks while hauling in 8.1 rebounds. A native of Crystal, Minn., Mason was an All-NSIC pick this past season and was also tabbed the league’s Defensive Player of the Year. He shot 61.8 percent from the floor, which is the second-highest single-season field goal percentage in school history.
Both Nelson and Mason now advance to the national ballot and the opportunity to be named an NABC All-American.
Margenthaler, who garnered Central Region Coach of the Year honors, guided his squad to a 25-5 record this past season. The Mavericks won the regular-season championship in the NSIC with a 17-3 record and finished the year as the top-team in the Central Region, earning the right to host the Central Region Tournament. Margenthaler – who won the league’s Coach of the Year award – has compiled a 191-81 record during his nine seasons with the program.
To view a .pdf of Nelson's and Mason's career stats, click HERE
