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Men's Basketball Team Awards Announced
 Coach Welsh's Remarks
April 14, 2003 PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The Providence College men's basketball squad announced its annual team awards for the 2002-03 season on Monday, April 14 at the team banquet at the Providence Biltmore.
Sophomore forward Ryan Gomes of Waterbury, Conn., earned the team's Jimmy Walker Most Valuable Player Award. Gomes was the Friars' top scorer (18.4 ppg) and rebounder (9.7 rpg) in 2002-03. He recorded 17 double-doubles in 32 games, including 21 points and 13 rebounds in the team's final game of the season versus Georgetown. He also scored 20 or more points in a game 15 times this season. In 2002-03, he scored 589 points which was the most ever by a Friar sophomore and the 12th highest single-season total in the history of Providence basketball. Gomes also established the PC record for most field goals by a forward with 213 in 32 games. For his efforts, he was named Second Team All-BIG EAST, USBWA All-District 1, Basketball Times All-Northeast and Second Team NABC District 1.
Junior center Marcus Douthit of Syracuse, N.Y. was named the recipient of the Marvin Barnes Defensive Player Award. Douthit led the Friars in blocks (97) and was second in rebounds (114). He finished the season ranked 11th in the country in blocks per game with an average of 3.0. His 97 blocks is the most in a season by a Friar since Marvin Barnes recorded 159 in 1973-74. The 97 blocks is the fourth highest single-season total all-time at Providence. For his career, Douthit ranks third all-time at Providence in blocks with 203.
Senior guard Kareem Hayletts of Bergenfield, N.J., received the Unsung Hero Award for the third time in his four seasons with the Friars. Hayletts, who joined the team as a walk on in 1998, was awarded an athletic scholarship in August of 2002 by Head Coach Tim Welsh. This season, Hayletts played in 31 of the team's 32 games.
Sophomore forward Tuukka Kotti (Forssa, Finland), received the John Zannini Most Improved Player Award. Kotti, who played in 24 games in 2001-02 and averaged 1.8 points and 1.3 rebounds, increased his production in 2002-03. Kotti started 22 of the team's 32 games and finished fifth on the team in scoring. Kotti averaged 7.7 points and 3.6 rebounds per game. Freshman Donnie McGrath earned the Coca Cola Promising Prospect Award. He led the team in assists (138) and assist to turnover ratio (1.81:1). McGrath finished third on the team in scoring, averaging 9.1 points per game. He concluded the season ranked eighth in the BIG EAST in assists per game (4.31). McGrath was one of the only two Friars to start all 32 games in the 2002-03. In recognition of his strong play this season, McGrath earned BIG EAST All-Rookie Team honors.
Senior forward Stephen Traugott of New Rochelle, N.Y. was presented with the Thomas Ramos Award for the top grade point average on the team. It marked the second consecutive year that he earned the honor. Traugott, a finance major, has recorded a cumulative grade point average of 3.40. He is a two-time BIG EAST Academic All-Star.
2002-03 PROVIDENCE MEN'S BASKETBALL AWARDS
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