Southwestern College senior guard Cevin Clark and forward Andrew O’Brien, another SC senior, were recently announced as preseason KCAC Men’s Basketball All-Conference Team selections.
In last Friday’s season opener at Stewart Field House in Winfield,, Clark piled up 29 points in just 21 minutes on the floor while O’Brien added 15 points and game-high nine defensive rebounds in the Builders’ 124-67 crushing of Randall University.
A season ago, the Moundbuilders finished 26-7 overall and 16-6 in the KCAC. The Builders capped off the regular season by winning the KCAC tournament championship over Bethel College and earning a birth to the NAIA National Tournament, head coach Matt O’Brien’s fifth appearance in the last eight seasons with SC.
A. O’Brien, a second team all-KCAC selection for the 2022-2023 season, showcased an impressive range of skills last season, a press release from Southwestern said.
“His passing ability landed him as one of the nation’s top assist leaders and his dedication on the boards also landed him as the nation’s No. 8 rebounder,” the college added.
A. O’Brien was 32.6% from 3-point land last season, coupled with a 67.2% free throw percentage. He ranked 5th-nationally in total defensive rebounds, securing 228 of them, and was eight in the nation in total rebounds with a remarkable 297.
“Andrew is one of the most skillful basketball players we have,” SC Head Coach Matt O’Brien said. “His passing ability can be overlooked by opponents and his rebounding effort is undeniable, but his ability to play at a high level defensively for us is critical.”
Clark, a first team all-KCAC selection last year and a first team NAIA All-American, shot 43.2% beyond the arc. Furthermore, he was 84.5% at the charity stripe.
Clark totaled 808 points last season — the third-most in the country — and averaged 24.6 points per game, which was the fourth-most in the NAIA.
Clark goes into this season’s campaign as the sixth all-time leading scorer in Southwestern College history, with a career total of 1,475 points. His 512 points against conference opponents last season ranked him 2nd in the KCAC.
Clark has also won a ESPY Award, as the Small College Male Athlete of The Year. Selected by the listeners of ESPN Wichita, 92.3.
“Everyone knows Cevin is an elite player,” Coach O’Brien said. “He is also a tremendous teammate with a work ethic that is contagious for our basketball program.”
Both the coaches and media of the KCAC picked SC to finish third in the preseason polls.
