GSC TOP NEWCOMERS

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Delta State University men's basketball player Maalik Cartwright was named a Preseason All-Gulf South Conference selection as announced by the league on Friday, Oct. 15.

Cartwright, a year removed from leading all NCAA Divisions in field goal percentage at 73.4 percent, collects his first preseason honor. Cartwright led the Statesmen in scoring (18.2 points per game), rebounding (7.4 per game), assists (4.0 per game), and blocks (1.6 per game), and ranked third in the GSC in scoring, first in field goal percentage, third in rebounding, tied for first in blocks, and eighth in assists per game.

The junior forward shot a perfect 13-of-13 from the floor against Christian Brothers (1.22.21), which set a GSC record for most field goals made in a game without a miss. He also tied his career-high with 29 points against CBU (2.5.21), and set a new career-best in field goals (14-for-15) twice, against CBU and Union (2.5.21 & 2.13.21).

Bryson Hall and Kasey Walker-Gregg were also named to the GSC's list of Top Newcomers, and the Statesmen were picked to finish ninth in the conference by the league's coaches.

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Preseason All-GSC Men's Basketball Team

Maalik Cartwright | Delta State – 6-6 / F / Jr. / Holly Grove, Ark.
Averaged 18.1 points, 7.4 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.6 blocks per game in 2020-21 … led all NCAA divisions in field goal percentage (.734) … third among GSC leaders last season in per game scoring and total blocks (23) and rebounds per game (7.4), while ranking eighth in assists per game (4.0) … First Team All-GSC West Division selection and Second Team NABC All-District selection last season.
 
Quay Kennedy | Lee – 6-7 / G / Sr. / Columbia, Tenn.
Averaged 17.0 points and 6.4 rebounds per game last season … was ranked among Top 10 conference leaders in per game scoring (5th), field goal percentage (5th/.443), rebounds per game (6th) and free throw percentage (8th/.787) … 2020-21 NABC All-South Region First Team … 2020-21 GSC East Player of the Year and All-GSC East First Team … was a three-time GSC East Player of the Week last season.
 
Cam Hamilton | Valdosta State – 5-11 / G / RS-Jr. / Charlotte, N.C.
Averaged 14.0 points and completed 107-of-227 (.471) attempts from the field … led the conference in totals steals (44) … third among GSC leaders in three-pointers made (53) and 11th-overall from distance (.396) … fourth among team leaders last season from the line, converting 42-of-60 (.700) … also had 3.5 rebounds per contest with 39 assists.
 
Michael Zabetakis | West Georgia – 6-5 / G / Sr. / Cumming, Ga.
Finished the last season listed second among GSC leaders in three-point field goal percentage (.500), fourth in free three percentage (.852), ninth in scoring per game (15.0) and field goal percentage (.486), and 13th in boards per game (6.0) … was named 2021 GSC Commissioner's Trophy winner, in addition to earning First Team All-GSC East, GSC All-Tournament Team, and NABC Second Team All-District Team honors.
 
Jacolbey Owens | Valdosta State – 6-11 / G / Jr. / Warner Robins, Ga.
Finished last season with 12.2 points per game while converting 92-of-176 attempts field goal attempts, good for .523 shooting, second-best among team leaders … made 24-of-49 (.490) shots from behind the arc and completed 48-of-74 (.649) attempts from the line … was ranked among GSC leaders in assists (4th/73), assists per game (11th/3.5), steals (4th/34), and assist-turnover ratio (5th/1.9) … named to the 2021 GSC All-Tournament Team.

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2021-22 GSC MBB Preseason Coaches Poll
 

Rank	School (First-Place Votes)	Total Pts
1.	Valdosta State (7)	134
2.	Lee (3)	129
3.	West Georgia (2)	122
4.	Alabama Huntsville (1)	114
5.	Union	96
6.	West Alabama	80
7.	Montevallo	76
8.	West Florida	71
9.	Delta State	69
10.	Auburn Montgomery	36
11.	Christian Brothers	35
12.	Mississippi College	32
13.	Shorter	20