PROVIDENCE, RI – Commissioner Mike Aresco has announced that Temple forward Obi Enechionyia has been chosen as the 2017-18 American Athletic Conference Men’s Basketball Scholar-Athlete of the Year. The selection was made by The American’s Faculty Athletic Representatives (FARs) and is presented on the basis of academic credentials and athletic performance.
Enechionyia, a senior from Springfield, Virginia, will receive a $2,000 scholarship, which may be applied to graduate or professional studies.
Enechionyia has led the Owls to a 16-14 overall record in and an 8-10 mark in conference play. He is Temple’s third-leading scorer, averaging 10.9 ppg., and leads his team in rebounding (6.1 rpg.) and blocked shots (41). Enechionyia has scored in double figures in 16 contests this season, recorded two double-doubles and started all 29 games he has played. He tallied his only 20-plus point performance of the season against Georgia when he scored a career-high 27 point versus the Bulldogs on a nine-for-15 shooting performance. Enechionyia was named MVP of the Gildan Charleston Classic after averaging 15.3 points and 7.3 rebounds while leading the Owls to the team title with wins over Old Dominion, Auburn and Clemson.
Earlier this season, Enechionyia became the 52
rd player in Temple history to reach 1,000 career points. In 127 games (90 starts), he has scored 1,271 points. He has grabbed 606 career rebounds and is one of just 43 Temple players to grab 500-plus boards.
Enechionyia, who has been a member of Temple's Athletic Director's Honor Roll (3.0 or higher GPA), will graduate in May with a degree in communications studies.
The American FARs annually select a Scholar-Athlete of the Year from each of the Conference’s 21-sponsored sports, in addition to men’s and women’s at-large selections.
American Athletic Conference Men’s Basketball Scholar-Athletes of the Year
2013-14 Jimmy McDonnell, Temple
2014-15 Pat Lenehan, UConn
2015-16 Shaquille Harrison, Tulsa
2016-17 Semi Ojeleye, SMU
2017-18 Obi Enechionyia, Temple