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Montclair State University senior
forward Gian Paul Gonzalez, the NJAC Player of the Year, has been named one of
10 finalists for the Jostens Trophy, which is
presented to one male and one female student-athlete based on
basketball ability, academic
ability, and community service.
The 10 finalists have been forwarded to the national selection committee
for review. Winners will be announced on March 15.
The award honors the true Division III student-athlete — the athlete that
shows excellence in the classroom, on the playing floor and in the
community. The winner is chosen by a national selection committee that
consists of college coaches, former athletes, college administrators and
selected members of the media. Both trophies will be presented at the
Salem Rotary Club’s weekly meeting on March 16 in the Salem Civic Center.
The honor for Gonzalez is one of a number of highlights for the 6-6
senior, who put together one of the finest seasons in MSU men's basketball
history. Gonzalez, who was named First-Team All-NJAC for the second
straight season, set the single-season record for scoring averaging 27.0
points per game while amassing 622 points - the second-highest
single-season total in school history.
A four-time NJAC Player of the Week during the season, Gonzalez currently
leads the league in scoring, and is fourth in rebounding (8.9), third in
field goal percentage (.573) and second in free throw shooting (.883). He
became the 24th player in MSU history to reach the 1,000-point plateau and
he shattered two long-standing MSU records - points in game with 51
against Lincoln University that broke a 50-year old record; and 58
consecutive foul shots, which surpassed the old mark of 53 set during the
1965-66 campaign.
Gonzalez also set the single-game mark for free throws with 22 against
Rowan and he posted 11 double-doubles. Gonzalez was featured in Sports
Illustrated's "Faces in the Crowd" after his 40-point performance versus
New Jersey City in April.
Gonzalez closed out his career scoring 1,394 points, which rank fifth
all-time and his 17.9 career scoring average is second-best. Gonzalez also
ranks fourth in career field goal percentage (.551), second in free throws
(512) made and first in free-throw percentage (.853). In addition, he
ranks among the Top 20 all-time in field goals (429) and rebounding (540).
In the classroom, Gonzalez has also excelled and was one of 17 players
selected to the ESPN The Magazine College Division District II
All-Academic Team earlier this month.
Off the court, Gonzalez has been very active with Montclair State's
Student-Athlete Council (TALON), including Annual Holiday Toy Drive,
Special Olympics and Read Across America; Served as host for Club de
Padres (organization that assists Latino families and their children with
disabilities in Paterson, NJ) “Family Fun Basketball Night” sponsored by
MSU basketball programs. He also began the non-profit 4One Organization
Basketball Team which speaks to high school children about basketball,
life and faith. Gonzalez has also been a frequent speaker to high school
kids in inner city schools and coaches youth basketball.
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