Lake Superior State men's basketball head coach Steve Hettinga has announced the recipients of the team's awards for the 2022 season and the team banquet, held on Saturday, April 30th.
Senior Guard Malek Adams received the Most Valuable Player award. Adams, a native of Grand Ledge MI, led the Lakers and ranked second among all GLIAC players with 19.8 points per game as he started every game for the team this season. Adams scored double-digits in all but one game during the 2021-22 season and posted 13 games with 20 or more points. His best game came in his final collegiate contest as he totaled a career high 42 points in the team's 99-94 overtime loss to Northern Michigan on March 2nd. This season, Adams led the Lakers in points (535), field goals (177), three-pointers (65), and free throws (116). In addition, the senior guard also ranked first among his teammates in steals (43) and was second on the team in both rebounds (116) and assists (98). Adams finished his collegiate career with 1,622 points to rank ninth all-time in program history. For his outstanding season he was named 1st Team All-GLIAC, marking the third time in Adams' career that he received all-conference honors as he was named 1st Team All-GLIAC in 2018-19 and 2nd Team All-GLIAC in 2020-21.
Freshman Guard Tyson Edmondson was named the team's Best Newcomer. Edmondson, a native of Ypsilanti MI, played in 23 games this year starting in 8. He finished his first season with the Lakers scoring 5.9 points per game while leading the team, and the GLIAC, in 3-point percentage (46.3%). His best game was January 19 at Saginaw Valley, where he scored a career high 16 points while securing 5 rebounds.
Senior Guards Jayden Perry and Justin Fischer were dual recipients of the Bud Cooper Coaches Award. Fischer, a native of Sterling Heights MI, started every game this season for the Lakers. The senior led the team, and was 5th in the GLIAC, in assists per game (4.0) and finishing 2nd in rebounds per game (5.2). With a 53.2 shooting percentage Fischer was the only GLIAC player to rank in the top 10 in both FG efficiency and assists per game.
Perry, a native of Manton MI, played in 9 games this season, his best game of the season was November 23rd against Finlandia where he scored 5 points and had 4 assists. The Bud Cooper Coaches award is named after the legendary Coach and Athletic director who was the catalyst for Laker Athletics and who the gymnasium is named after.
Freshman Center Kingsley Perkins received the Most Improved Player award. Perkins, a native of Ypsilanti MI, started in 21 of 25 games as a true freshman and finished 2nd on the team in blocks (14) and 3rd in total rebounds for the season (105). His best game was December 4th against Purdue NW, where he scored career high 11 points and added 8 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 3 steals. He finished the season shooting 52% from the field and averaging 4.1 points per game and 4.2 rebounds a game
Junior guard C.J. Robinson is the program's 2nd and two-time recipient of the Chris Buell Award. The award is presented to the student-athlete that best exemplifies toughness and a willingness to sacrifice himself for the betterment of the team. Robinson, a native of Clarkston MI, started every game for the Lakers during the 2022 season and led the team in minutes per game (33.2) while scoring 8.4 points per game. He led the team in charges taken and finished 4th on the team in assists per game and 2nd in assist to turnover ratio (3.6 to 1). Robinson's best game of the season came on Feb. 5 against Davenport as he recorded 19 points in the Laker win while also adding 4 assists and 3 steals. For his play this season, Robinson was named to the All-GLIAC Defensive Team for the second consecutive year.
Junior Guard Xander Okerlund was the recipient of the Tom Thornton Award, which is presented to the student-athlete who persevered, never gave up, and was a great teammate. Okerlund, a native of Empire MI, played in 20 games this season starting in 9. He averaged 7.5 points per game while shooting 42% from the field and 37% from behind the arc. His best game was December 20th at Florida Tech, where he scored 17 points and 4 rebounds.
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