March 10, 2003

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- It was announced on Monday, March 10 that Providence College sophomore forward Ryan Gomes (Waterbury, Conn.) was named All-BIG EAST Second Team and freshman guard Donnie McGrath (Katonah, N.Y.) was selected for the BIG EAST All-Rookie Team.

Gomes, who was a unanimous selection for the BIG EAST All-Rookie Team last season, leads the Friars in scoring (18.4 ppg) and rebounding (9.4 rpg). He has recorded 13 double-doubles and has scored 20 or more points in a game 13 times this season. In the BIG EAST, Gomes ranks 11th in scoring (18.4 ppg), fourth in rebounding (9.4 rpg), sixth in field goal percentage (.524) and eighth in free-throw percentage (.839).

McGrath becomes the seventh Friar to be selected to the BIG EAST All-Rookie Team. McGrath has started all 27 games this season for the Friars. He leads the team in assists with 125 (4.6 per game) and ranks eighth in the BIG EAST in assists per game. The rookie point guard is averaging 8.6 points and 2.1 rebounds per game. McGrath recorded a career-high 23 points versus Boston College on January 2.

The Friars, 15-12 (8-8), return to action in the First Round of the BIG EAST Tournament on Wednesday, March 12 at Madison Square Garden in New York. Providence, a No. 3 seed in the East, will face West Virginia, a No. 6 seed in the West, at 2:00 p.m. on ESPN.

2002-03 All-BIG EAST First Team
*Troy Bell, Boston College, Sr., 6-1, 183, Minneapolis, Minn.
Emeka Okafor, Connecticut, So., 6-9, 252, Houston, Texas
*Mike Sweetney, Georgetown, Jr., 6-8, 260, Oxon Hill, Md.
Matt Carroll, Notre Dame, Sr., 6-6, 212, Horsham, Pa.
Marcus Hatten, St. John's, Sr., 6-1, 165, Baltimore, Md.
Carmelo Anthony, Syracuse, Fr., 6-8, 220, Baltimore, Md


2002-03 All-BIG EAST Second Team
Craig Smith, Boston College, Fr., 6-7, 265, Los Angeles, Calif.
Ben Gordon, Connecticut, So., 6-2, 185, Mt. Vernon, N.Y.
Chris Thomas, Notre Dame, So., 6-1, 182, Indianapolis, Ind.
Brandin Knight, Pittsburgh, Sr., 6-0, 183, East Orange, N.J.
Ryan Gomes, Providence, Fr., 6-7, 235, Waterbury, Conn.
Andre Barrett, Seton Hall, Jr., 5-10, 172, Bronx, N.Y.


2002-03 All-BIG EAST Third Team
Darius Rice, Miami, Jr.., 6-10, 215, Jackson, Miss.
Julius Page, Pittsburgh, Jr., 6-3, 191, Buffalo, N.Y.
Chevon Troutman, Pittsburgh, So., 6-7, 236, Williamsport, Pa.
Hakim Warrick, Syracuse, So., 6-8, 205, Philadelphia, Pa.
Drew Schifino, West Virginia, So, 6-3, 190, Pittsburgh, Pa.


2002-03 All-BIG EAST Honorable Mention
James Jones, Miami, Sr., 6-8, 225, Miami, Fla.
Ontario Lett, Pittsburgh, Sr., 6-6, 265, Pensacola, Fla.
Gary Buchanan, Villanova, Sr., 6-3, 205, St. Louis, Mo.
Ricky Wright, Villanova, Sr., 6-7, 225, East Chicago, Ind.
Bryant Matthews, Virginia Tech, Jr., 6-7, 202, Columbia, S.C.
Terry Taylor, Virginia Tech, Sr., 6-8, 292, Virginia Beach, Va..


2002-03 BIG EAST All-Rookie Team
Craig Smith, Boston College, Fr., 6-7, 265, Los Angeles, Calif.
Torin Francis, Notre Dame, Fr., 6-10, 240, Roslindale, Mass.
Donnie McGrath, Providence, Fr., 6-4, 185, Katonah, N.Y.
Kelly Whitney, Seton Hall, Fr., 6-8, 228, Chicago, Ill.
Carmelo Anthony, Syracuse, Fr., 6-8, 220, Baltimore, Md.
Gerry McNamara, Syracuse, Fr., 6-2, 172, Scranton, Pa.
Kevin Pittsnogle, West Virginia, Fr., 6-10, 220, Martinsburg, W.Va.

*denotes unanimous selection