Hempstead, NY - Hofstra graduate student guard
Tyler Thomas made school history today as he was named the recipient of the Lt. Frank J. Haggerty Award. This marks the second consecutive year that Hofstra has earned the award, marking the first time since Charles Jenkins won the award three times in a row from 2009 to 2011 that the Pride has earned the honor in at least back-to-back seasons.
Thomas was also named to the All-Met First Team and junior guard
Darlinstone Dubar earned All-Met Second Team accolades.
The Haggerty Award is given to the All-Metropolitan New York Division I Men's College Basketball Player of the Year, presented by the National Invitation Tournament and the Met Basketball Writers Association. First presented in 1936, it is arguably the oldest and most prestigious award given to a metropolitan area player.
The awards are being announced at the 91st MBWA All-Met Haggerty Awards dinner at the Sleepy Hollow Hotel & Conference Center on Thursday, April 18.
Thomas is the seventh-ever Hofstra student-athlete to earn the prestigious honor, joining Bill Thieben (1956), Rich Laurel (1977),
Speedy Claxton (2000), Norm Richardson (2001), Charles Jenkins (2009, 2010, and 2011), and
Aaron Estrada (2023).
Since 2000, Hofstra leads all the metro area schools in Haggerty Award recipients. Hofstra has won the award seven times since 2000, one more than Seton Hall and three more than St. John's.
Thomas, the CAA Player of the Year and an All-CAA First Team Selection, averaged 22.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.3 steals per game this season.
He led the CAA and ranked fourth nationally in scoring, while leading the conference and ranking second in the nation in made three-pointers per game with 3.8. Thomas reached double figures 31 times this season and tallied 20 or more points 22 times this year. One of the best scorers in the nation, Thomas totaled 2,321 career points and his 1,320 points at Hofstra ranks 20th in program history.
It was an incredible breakout season for Dubar as he increased his scoring average by nearly eight points per game and his rebounding average by nearly two per contest. Dubar, who was named to the All-CAA Second Team, ranked second on the Pride and sixth in the conference with 17.8 points per outing. He also averaged 6.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.9 blocks per game. His rebounding total was tops on Hofstra and 10th in the league and his 73 three-pointers this season ranked second on the team and he ranked ninth in the CAA with 2.2 three-pointers made per game. Dubar scored in double figures 31 times and had 12 games this season of at least 20 points. Dubar's 1,322 points at Hofstra ranks 19th in program history.
