The San Diego native turned up his game against conference foes where he averaged 15.1 points in the team’s 14 Big Sky games. Jones scored at least 10 points in 17 games this season, including a career-high 24 against Weber State. He led the team in both blocked shots (26) and steals (43). He was also the only player in the Big Sky to be ranked in the top five of both categories.

Montana State’s Jason Erickson was named Big Sky Conference Player of the Year. The sophomore guard helped lead the Bobcats to the regular season Big Sky title. Eastern Washington’s Chris Hester and MSU’s Damir Latovic shared the Newcomer of the Year Award while Marc Axton of EWU earned the Outstanding Freshman Award. The league’s newest award, the Defensive Player of the Year, was given to Alvin Snow of Eastern Washington.

Montana State led all teams with five all-conference selections. Both Erickson and Latovic earned first team honors while James Clark, Casey Reynolds and Aaron Rich received honorable mention accolades. Eastern Washington, Portland State and Weber State tied for second with three selections each.

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All-Big Sky Conference

Player School Year Position Hometown

Jason Erickson Montana State So. Guard Chugiak, Alaska

David Bell Montana Jr. Guard Oakland, Calif.

Jermaine Boyette#* Weber State Jr. Guard Hammond, Ind.

Matt Gebhardt Northern Arizona Sr. Guard Loveland, Colo.

Chris Hester Eastern Washington Jr. Guard Fort Madison, Iowa

Anthony Lackey* Portland State Sr. Forward Napa, Calif.

Damir Latovic# Montana State Jr. Forward Belgrade, Yugoslavia

Ryan McDade Northern Arizona Jr. Forward Enumclaw, Wash.

Alvin Snow Eastern Washington So. Guard Seattle, Wash.

D’Marr Suggs Idaho State Sr. Guard St. Paul, Minn.

Chris Woods Weber State Sr. Forward East Chicago, Ind.

* Previous All-Conference Selection

# Unanimous Choice

Honorable Mention

Seamus Boxley, Portland State; James Clark, Montana State; John Hamilton, Weber State; Jeb Ivey, Portland State; Joel Jones, Sacramento State; Jason Lewis, Eastern Washington; Casey Reynolds, Montana State; Aaron Rich, Montana State; Dan Trammel, Montana.