BOISE, Idaho (March 7, 2024) – Marking the first honors in both student-athletes' careers,
Trent McLaughlin and
Carson Basham were named to the Big Sky's All-Conference teams on Thursday afternoon. The awards are voted on by all ten Big Sky Conference head basketball coaches.
With two Lumberjacks being honored for the first time since 2020,
Trent McLaughlin became NAU's first first-team honoree since 2021.
Carson Basham not only rang in second-team honors, but the forward also joined five others on the leagues all-defensive team.
McLaughlin led the Jacks in scoring throughout the 2023-24 regular season, becoming the third Big Sky player to reach 500 single-season points, behind Weber State's Dillon Jones and Northern Colorado's Saint Thomas. McLaughlin tabbed those 500 career points in NAU's double overtime victory over the Idaho State Bengals, who ironically will meet with the Jacks in the tournament opener, set for this Saturday at 8 p.m. MST. McLaughlin ranks third in the conference in scoring, averaging 16.7 points a game, and 18.1 points per Big Sky contests.
McLaughlin's 45 steals this season rank sixth in the conference, while he sits in fourth in minutes played. The Chandler, Ariz. native has recorded two 5+ steal games this season and seven 3+ steal games. McLaughlin has tabbed 27 double-digit scoring games this season, alongside 11 20+ scoring games, and one 30+ game where he recorded his career-high 31 points against the Sacramento State Hornets.
Basham, the league leader in field goal percentage at 58.5 percent, also leads the conference in blocks with 52, as the only Big Sky player to post 2+ six block games this season as he tabbed career highs in the category against Portland State and Eastern Washington. Basham has recorded nine 3+ block games this season. The junior's all-defensive honors come as a first for the Lumberjacks as the Big Sky introduced the team to the conference awards this season.
Leading the Jacks in rebounds with 6.6 a game, Basham reached 200 single-season boards against Weber State last week while coming off a career night against Idaho State where he tabbed 33 points and 14 rebounds. The Phoenix, Airz. native has recorded 21 double digit scoring games, five 20+ point games, one 30+ scoring game, seven double digit rebounding games, and six double-double performances.
The Jacks will head to Boise tomorrow to prepare for the first-round matchup to the Bengals on Saturday at Idaho Central Arena where tip is set to take place at 8 p.m. MST. To stay up to date with NAU Basketball, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
2023-24 Big Sky Men's Basketball Individual Awards
Most Valuable Player – Dillon Jones, Weber State
Newcomer of the Year – Saint Thomas, Northern Colorado
Defensive Player of the Year – Robert Ford III, Montana State
Top Reserve – Dejour Reaves, Northern Colorado *
Freshman of the Year – LeJuan Watts, Eastern Washington *
Co-Coach of the Year – David Riley, Eastern Washington & Steve Smiley, Northern Colorado
* Unanimous Selections
First Team All-Conference
Dillon Jones, Weber State *
Cedric Coward, Eastern Washington *
Aanen Moody, Montana *
Saint Thomas, Northern Colorado *
Robert Ford III, Montana State
Brayden Parker, Idaho State
Trenton McLaughlin, Northern Arizona
* Unanimous Members of the All-Big Sky First Team
Second Team All-Conference
KJ Allen, Portland State
Ethan Price, Eastern Washington
Dischon Thomas, Montana
Casey Jones, Eastern Washington
Carson Basham, Northern Arizona
Dejour Reaves, Northern Colorado
Honorable Mention All-Big Sky
Steven Verplancken, Weber State
Maleek Arington, Idaho State
Brandon Whitney, Montana
Brandon Walker, Montana State
Jaron Rillie, Northern Colorado
Zee Hamoda, Sacramento State
Note: Honorable Mention features Six Players due to tie for final spot
All-Defensive Team
Robert Ford III, Montana State *
Maleek Arington, Idaho State *
Carson Basham, Northern Arizona
Casey Jones, Eastern Washington
Julius Mims, Idaho
Alex Tew, Weber State
* Unanimous Members of All-Defensive Team
Note: Team features Six Players due to tie for final spot
