Image courtesy of JMU Athletics Communications

By Bennett Conlin

JMU men’s basketball’s Terrence Edwards is the 2023-24 Sun Belt Player of the Year, the conference announced Monday.

Edwards, a redshirt junior, averages a team-high 17.6 points per game on 43% shooting. He shoots over 35% from 3-point range, and he’s an 81.9% free-throw shooter. Edwards does more than just score, adding 4.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game. He led the Dukes to a 28-3 regular-season record, which included a win over Michigan State.

Edwards becomes JMU’s first POTY since Matt Lewis won the honor in the CAA in 2021, Mark Byington’s first season as JMU’s head coach.

Other men’s honors

In addition to Edwards winning POTY, T.J. Bickerstaff was named Sun Belt Newcomer of the Year. The Boston College transfer has excelled in the post for the Dukes, averaging 13.9 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. He’s shooting 63% from the floor, and he’s third on the team with 34 steals.

Bickerstaff landed on the Sun Belt’s Second Team, arguably a snub given his overall contributions this season for a 28-win team.

JMU’s Noah Freidel landed on the Sun Belt’s Third Team. Freidel averages 11.6 points and 5.7 rebounds per game, and he leads the Dukes with 68 made 3-pointers.

Women’s honors

On the women’s side, Peyton McDaniel and Kseniia Kozlova both earned Second Team All-Conference honors.

McDaniel leads JMU in scoring, averaging 14.5 points per game. She’s also become an elite rebounder, snagging seven per game.

Kozlova, who missed several late-season games with injury, averages 12.2 points and 7.3 rebounds per contest. She shoots an impressive 61.9% from the floor.