April 14, 2004

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The Providence College men's basketball squad announced its annual team awards for the 2003-04 season on Tuesday, April 13 at the team banquet at the Providence Biltmore.

Junior forward Ryan Gomes of Waterbury, Conn., earned the team's Jimmy Walker Most Valuable Player Award for the second consecutive season. Gomes, who led the Friars in scoring (18.9 ppg) and rebounding (9.4 rpg), paced the Friars to a 20-9 mark and a third-place finish in the BIG EAST with an 11-5 record. The team also earned a berth in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2001. In 29 games this season, Gomes registered 13 double-doubles. He also scored 20 or more points 14 times, including a season-high 28 points versus Texas on January 5 and Seton Hall on February 1. He also registered 10 or more rebounds in 15 of the team's 29 contests. In just three seasons of action, Gomes ranks 11th all-time in scoring at Providence with 1,468 points. Gomes, who earned nine All-America accolades this season, became the first Friar since 1974 to earn First Team Associated Press All-America honors.

Senior center Marcus Douthit of Syracuse, N.Y. was named the recipient of the Marvin Barnes Defensive Player Award for the second time in the last two years. He was an integral part of the Friar defense which concluded the season ranked second in BIG EAST play. The team finished the league schedule allowing an average of just 63.1 points per game. In 16 league games, the Friars held seven BIG EAST teams under 60 points, including No. 4 Connecticut on January 24 (a 66-56 win). Douthit led the Friars in blocks (92) and was second in rebounds (107). He finished the season ranked third in the BIG EAST and seventh in the nation in blocked shots per game with an average of 3.17. His 92 blocks is the fifth highest single-season total all-time at Providence and his 3.17 blocks per game average is the third highest single-season average. Douthit finished his career ranked second on the team's all-time block list with 295 blocks.

Senior guard Sheiku Kabba (Bronx, N.Y.) and junior forward Tuukka Kotti (Forssa, Finland) were co-recipients of the Unsung Hero Award. Kabba, a two-year starter for the Friars, finished third on the team in scoring (10.4 ppg), second in assists (68) and second in three-point field goals (55). He started all 29 games this season and averaged 30.2 minutes per game. In 122 career games at Providence, Kabba registered 926 points (7.6 ppg). Kotti, who played in all 29 games, averaged 6.1 points per game. He also registered 103 rebounds and was second on the team in blocked shots with 23.

Senior forward Chris Anrin (Varmdo, Sweden), received the John Zannini Coaches' Award. Anrin played in 23 games this season and averaged 3.0 points per game. He was an impressive 20-47 (42.6 percent) from behind the three-point arc. In 104 career games at Providence, Anrin scored 481 points (4.6 ppg). He also was presented with the Thomas Ramos Award for the top grade point average on the team. Anrin is a marketing major, who has recorded a cumulative grade point average of 2.94.

Sophomore Donnie McGrath (Katonah, N.Y.) earned the Coca-Cola Most Improved Player Award. He led the team in assists (100) for the second consecutive season. McGrath finished third on the team in scoring, averaging 10.4 points per game. Last season, McGrath averaged 9.1 points per game. He also improved his three-point shooting this season as he shot 36.8 percent (67-182). In 2003, McGrath shot 32.6 percent (58-178) from behind the three-point arc.

Freshman Dwight Brewington (Lynn, Mass.) received the team's Promising Prospect Award. Brewington played in 28 of the squad's 29 games and recorded six starts. He averaged 5.7 points and 2.5 rebounds per game in 2003-04.

2003-04 PROVIDENCE MEN'S BASKETBALL AWARDS
Jimmy Walker Most Valuable Player Award - Ryan Gomes
Marvin Barnes Defensive Player Award - Marcus Douthit
Unsung Hero Award - Sheiku Kabba
Unsung Hero Award - Tuukka Kotti
John Zannini Coaches' Award - Chris Anrin
Thomas Ramos Award (Top GPA) - Chris Anrin
Coca-Cola Most Improved Player - Donnie McGrath
Promising Prospect Award - Dwight Brewington

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