KUTZTOWN, PA (March 22, 2010) – Stephen Dennis has added another major basketball honor to his resume. The Kutztown University senior guard has been named to the National Association of Basketball (NABC) State Farm® Coaches' All-America team. Dennis, who will participate in the annual NABC/Division II All-Star game in Springfield (Mass.) on Friday March 26, enjoyed a season to remember.

Dennis finished the season as the leading scorer in Division II (26.6 points per game). Dennis helped Kutztown (23-8 overall) to consecutive 20-win seasons along with another appearance in the NCAA Division II tournament.

“I am humbled by being named one of the best in Division II,” Dennis said. “I am speechless. It is rewarding to see that all of the hard work I put into becoming a better player get recognized. As always though, I have to thank my teammates for making this honor possible.”

Dennis ended his career with 2,406 points, which is third all-time in the history of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC). In addition to setting the all-time Kutztown school scoring record, Dennis established program marks in field goals (850), free throws (621) and assists (447). He also set the KU single season scoring record in two consecutive seasons. His total of 817 points surpassed the 710 he set last year.

Among the honors that Dennis has already received this year was being named Lehigh Valley Small College Player of the Year, Daktronics Atlantic Region Player of the Year, PSAC East Division Player of the Year and being named to the NABC Atlantic Region first team. Dennis, who won five PSAC East player of the week awards this season, ended his career by scoring in double figures in 46 consecutive contests and in 107 games. During his four-year career, Dennis helped Kutztown win 87 games and two PSAC East Division championships.

Among some of his highlights this season was recording his first career triple-double against Chestnut Hill (31 points, 11 assists, 11 rebounds), scoring a career-high 42-point performance against previously unbeaten East Stroudsburg and making a game-winning shot against Goldey Beacom. He scored 30 or more points nine times this season and was featured in the Feb. 8 issue of Sports Illustrated. Dennis, who was selected to participate in the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, also finished the season with five double-doubles.

“This is a phenomenal honor for Stephen,” Kutztown head coach Bernie Driscoll said. “He has worked extremely hard to become an all-around basketball player. I am happy that I had the opportunity to coach him during his time here at Kutztown. He is arguably the best player I've coached and we are definitely going to miss him.”

Also named to the NABC All-America team was Chris Banchero (Seattle Pacific), Tyrone Curnell (Valdosta State), Kendrick Easley (Mt. Olive), Laurence Ekperigin (Le Moyne), Justin Keenan (Ferris State), Bryan LeDuc (Cal State San Bernardino), Ben Madgen (Augusta State), Travis Nelson (Minnesota State), Matt Schneck (St. Cloud State), Jamar Smith (Southern Indiana), Sanijay Watts (Central Missouri), Darryl Webb (Indiana University, Pa.), Jason Westrol (Bentley),Dauntae Williams (Central Oklahoma) and Nick Wolf (Rollins).

Selected and voted on by member coaches of the NABC, these student-athletes represent the finest basketball players across America.

About the National Association of Basketball Coaches: Located in Kansas City, Missouri, the NABC was founded in 1927 by Phog Allen, the legendary basketball coach at the University of Kansas. Allen, a student of James Naismith, the inventor of basketball, organized coaches into this collective group to serve as Guardians of the Game. The NABC currently claims nearly 5,000 members consisting primarily of university and college men s basketball coaches. All members of the NABC are expected to uphold the core values of being a Guardian of the Game by bringing attention to the positive aspects of the sport of basketball and the role coaches play in the academic and athletic lives of today s student-athletes. The four core values of being a Guardian of the Game are advocacy, leadership, service and education.

--KU--