
The USCAA announced its Division I basketball All-Americans and individual. The ceremony was held at the Buffalo RiverWorks on Monday, March 10, and Berkeley College's teams were well represented. On the women's side, standout Magan Jackson was tabbed a First Team All-American, with Khya Hough earning Second Team praise. Ariella Johnson was announced as an Honorable Mention All-American. On the men's side, Ike Sheppard earned a First Team All-American distinction, with Julio Wallace earning a Second Team All-American honor. Karif Isaacs was announced as an Honorable Mention All-American. Following the announcement of the awards, Berkeley's Vice President Student Development and Campus Life Dr. Sherrille T. Shabazz, Ed. D. praised the five aforementioned student-athletes.
"I'd like to express a warm congratulations for the six Berkeley College student-athletes that were honored by the USCAA with All-American distinctions," Shabazz said. "Competing in Division I for the first time, these student-athletes embraced new challenges and rose to the occasion, and it speaks to their work ethic, dedication, and unmatched focus. They proved that with diligence, anything can be achieved. They have made this institution extremely proud!"
Jackson was phenomenal for Berkeley College this past season. In 22 games played (21 started), Jackson averaged a team-leading 17.3 points per contest, an average that also placed her ninth on a National level. The standout was also 10th in USCAA Division I in rebounding, averaging 9.4 caroms per evening. She was tenacious on the defensive end, as her 3.0 steals per game not only led the Knights, but also placed her sixth on the National leader list. In 16 of her 22 games played, Jackson scored 15 points or more, making her the team's most potent scorer.
Hough played in 21 games for the Knights, starting 19 of the team, and her 13.3 points per game placed her third on the Knights, and 24th in the country. Her 2.2 assists per game were good for second on the squad, and she scored 18 points or more seven times. She became a staple of the Berkeley College's women's basketball program, and was a big reason why the team came within two games of a USCAA Division I National title.
Johnson earned an Honorable Mention All-American distinction thanks to her fantastic season for Berkeley. Playing in 20 games (18 starts), Johnson's 13.8 points per game placed her second on the Knights, and 21st Nationally. Her 2.9 assists were a team-high, and also placed her 15th in the USCAA. Additionally, the standout placed second on the team in rebounding (6.3 RPG) and steals per game (2.5 SPG). For the season, Johnson scored 16 points or more eight times.
Sheppard was fantastic for Berkeley College this past season, averaging a team-leading 14.7 points per contest. That average also placed him 23rd on the National list in that category. Additionally, his 8.6 rebounds per game were not only a team-high, but also placed him fourth in USCAA Division I. Sheppard scored 16 points or more on 13 different occasions, and overall, he scored in double figures 17 times. He truly established himself as one of the team's more dynamic options, excelling both offensively as well as on the glass.
Wallace, another workhorse for coach Jonathan Pena this season, was second on the squad with 12 points per game. His 3.5 assists per game were good for 12th in USCAA Division I, and his 2.7 steals were not only a team-high, but were also good for second-most in the country. Wallace scored 15 points or more seven times on the season, and became one of the team's primary contributors.
Isaacs was a diligent worker for the Berkeley College Knights this season, appearing in 27 games and averaging 10.3 points per contest. His 3.3 assists per game placed him second on the team's list and 15th in the country, and his 1.5 steals per game placed him third on Berkeley College. Isaacs scored 14 points or more on seven occasions, and dished four or more assists in 10 of the games in which he competed in.