Florida A&M University men’s basketball players Antonio Baker and Jaquan Sanders received Southwestern Athletic Conference preseason honors Tuesday. Baker was named Preseason SWAC Defensive Player of the Year and Second Team All-SWAC, while Sanders was selected to the Preseason First Team All-SWAC.
Baker finished last season with 36 steals in 29 games. He averaged 9.9 points and 3.6 rebounds while shooting 45.3% from the field, making 105 of 232 attempts. Baker also made 67 of 80 free-throw attempts for an 83.8% mark.
Antonio Baker earns defensive recognition
Baker recorded a season-high five steals against Albany State on Dec. 15. He also scored 19 points, handed out a season-best seven assists and made eight field goals in that game. His five steals were part of a season that established him as a disruptive perimeter defender.
Baker matched his scoring high with 19 points against Alabama State on Feb. 21 and added a season-high nine rebounds. He recorded two blocks at Alcorn State on Feb. 16. Baker also made a season-high seven free throws in that game.
Jaquan Sanders earns first-team selection
Sanders averaged 11.7 points and 3.6 assists in 30 games last season. He made 59 3-pointers at a 34.1% rate and shot 83.7% from the free-throw line, converting 72 of 86 attempts. Those numbers supported his selection to the Preseason First Team All-SWAC.
Sanders scored a season-high 24 points against Grambling State on Jan. 12 while making four 3-pointers. He scored 20 points at Jacksonville on Dec. 2 after making a season-best six 3-pointers in 33 minutes. Sanders also scored 22 points at Bethune-Cookman on Jan. 3.
Sanders’ top passing performance came at Southern on Feb. 26, when he recorded a season-high 10 assists. His scoring, 3-point shooting and playmaking were reflected in the preseason first-team honor. The recognition gives Florida A&M University men’s basketball two players honored ahead of the upcoming season.
FSB Take
Florida A&M University men’s basketball enters the season with Baker and Sanders recognized by the Southwestern Athletic Conference. Baker brings the league’s preseason defensive player of the year honor after recording 36 steals last season, while Sanders earned first-team recognition after making 59 3-pointers. Their preseason honors provide a clear focus for the program as the new campaign approaches.
Source: Original report