Three Rainbow Warriors Gain All-Conference Recognition

IRVINE, Calif. —The Big West Conference announced its men's basketball all-conference selections Tuesday as picked by the league coaches with a trio of Rainbow Warriors making the list. Justin McKoy was named to the all-conference second team, while Noel Coleman and Bernardo da Silva earned honorable mention.

It's the second straight year that three Rainbow Warriors earned Big West accolades. The trio have been instrumental in leading UH to a resurgent second half of the season in which the team shot up to the top tier of the league standings while putting UH on the verge of its second consecutive 20-win season.

McKoy particularly has elevated his game during conference play. The graduate transfer from North Carolina, led the team in scoring in Big West games averaging 13.7 ppg, while also averaging 6.1 rebounds. The 6-8 forward scored 20 or more points four times in league play, including a 26-point explosion in a win over Long Beach State. For the season he is shooting 49 percent from the field, 37 percent on three-pointers and a team-best 88 percent from the free throw line.

Coleman earned all-Big West honors for the third straight time and second time as an honorable mention pick. The senior is once again the team's leading scorer (13.9 ppg) while also serving as the top defender. Beside scoring, he leads the team in three-pointers made (62), steals (34) and minutes per game (32.5). The native of Belgium has had six games with 20 or more points, including a monumental effort in which tied his career high with 31 points in lifting the 'Bows to a crucial overtime road win at UC Riverside.

Da Silva earned Big West accolades for the first time after enjoying his best season yet as a Rainbow Warrior. The senior post player is averaging 11.6 points and a team-high 7.1 rebounds per game. He has recorded a team-high seven double-doubles on the season, including a 19-point, 12-rebound game in a huge home win over UC Davis in February. The native of Brazil led the Big West in field goal percentage (.608) in league games and is the current leader in overall games as well (.602).

Elijah Pepper of UC Davis took home Big West Player of the Year honors while UC San Diego's Eric Olen was tabbed as Coach of the Year.

UH is currently preparing for the 2024 Hercules Tire Big West Championship, March 13-16, at The Dollar Loan Center in Henderson. Nev. The No. 3 seed Rainbow Warriors will open Thursday, March 14 at 6:00 p.m. PT/3:00 p.m. HT. against the winner of Wednesday's opening-round matchup between No. 6 UC Santa Barbara and No. 7 CSUN.

#HawaiiMBB

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#4 Noel Coleman: G; 6' 2"; Senior

#5 Bernardo da Silva: F; 6' 9"; Senior

#1 Justin McKoy: F; 6' 8"; Graduate Student

Players Mentioned

#4 Noel Coleman
: 6' 2"; Senior
: G

#5 Bernardo da Silva
: 6' 9"; Senior
: F

#1 Justin McKoy
: 6' 8"; Graduate Student
: F

Players Mentioned

#4 Noel Coleman

#5 Bernardo da Silva

#1 Justin McKoy

Players Mentioned

#4 Noel Coleman

#5 Bernardo da Silva

#1 Justin McKoy