2021-22 Illinois State Men’s Basketball Scholarship Endowment Recipients Announced
NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State men’s basketball has announced the student-athletes that were chosen as the recipients for prestigious endowed scholarships, and this year, seven deserving and outstanding student-athletes were selected for these honors.
The 2021-22 winners of the seven endowed scholarships dedicated to men’s basketball include Mark Freeman, Alex Kotov, Kendall Lewis, Abdou Ndiaye, Antonio Reeves, Josiah Strong, and Emon Washington.
Doug Collins Endowed Scholarship Recipient // Antonio Reeves, Chicago, Ill.
Reeves averaged 12.4 points per game in 2020-21 while playing in 25 games with 24 starts. He had the 13th-highest scoring average in the MVC last season (and ninth among returnees for the 2021-22 season). He scored in double-figures 19 times, including in each of his last five games of the season.
The proceeds from the Doug Collins Roast and Toast in 1990 established the scholarship in the name of Illinois State’s all-time leading basketball scorer. It is presented annually to either a junior or senior men’s basketball player who meets academic requirements and contributes significantly to his team.
Milt Weisbecker Endowed Scholarship Recipient // Alex Kotov, Moscow, Russia.
He played in 12 games in 2020-21 with a start in the season-opener against Ohio State. He scored a career-high 16 points against Greenville on December 2, making all eight of his field goal tries in the Redbirds’ record-setting game.
Established in 1990 to honor the Redbird athletics director who led Illinois State’s program into Division I status, the Milt Weisbecker Endowed Scholarship is awarded to a junior or senior men’s basketball player who meets specific academic standards.
Will Robinson Endowed Scholarship Recipient // Emon Washington, Atlanta, Ga.
Named the MVC Newcomer of the Week on February 23, Washington averaged 5.3 points and 4.0 rebounds per game for the Redbirds last season. He played in 23 games while starting each of the team’s last 10 games. He recorded a career-high of 30 points in the team’s win over Greenville, making 12-of-13 shots in the contest.
Proceeds from the 1994 Doug Collins Chicago Golf Outing and a special announcement reception established the Will Robinson Scholarship. Robinson was the Redbird basketball coach from 1970 to 1975 and a pioneer among African-American college coaches. The scholarship also funds an internship with the Detroit Pistons, Robinson’s employer until his death in 2008.
Dr. James Collie Endowed Scholarship Recipient // Abdou Ndiaye, Louga, Senegal.
Ndiaye finished second in the MVC in blocked shots per game, averaging 1.4 per contest in 2020-21. He played in 23 games during the year with eight starts. He averaged 3.8 points and 2.7 rebounds per game, including a career-high 18 points against Greenville on December 2.
The Collie scholarship was established in 2008 through funds raised by former players and coaches of Coach Collie. “Gentleman Jim” coached ISU men’s basketball 1958-1970 achieving 209 coaching victories. Dr. Collie was elected to the ISU Hall of Fame in 1976. Much of today’s Redbird basketball tradition traces directly to the Collie era. His players remember him as one who helped to positively mold all their lives. The scholarship is awarded annually to a junior or senior on the men’s basketball team.
Dave and Doris Schertz Endowed Scholarship Recipient // Josiah Strong, Brooklyn Park, Minn.
Strong averaged 11.5 points per game in 2020-21, the third-highest scoring average on the team, playing in 22 games with 18 starts. He also averaged 2.7 assists and 2.6 rebounds per game, while scoring in double-figures 15 times, twice scoring a career-high 21 points against UMass Lowell and Loyola Chicago.
The Dave & Doris Schertz Endowed Scholarship was established in 2020 to honor Dave Schertz, a four-year basketball letterman (1956-1959) and Athletics Percy Family Hall of Fame member, and his wife, Doris. Dave was Illinois State’s captain and most valuable player for three seasons. He was on the all-NAIA District 20 team as a senior in 1959, when the Redbirds compiled a 24-5-record, won the conference title, and reached the NAIA national tournament. He still ranks No. 2 in career rebounds and No. 17 in career scoring. Preference will be given to a Men’s Basketball Student-Athlete displaying significant character, commitment to community service, and high academic achievement within their chosen area of study.
Robert Seidl Endowed Scholarship Recipient // Kendall Lewis, Snellville, Ga.
Comes to Illinois State after spending two seasons at Appalachian State. In his second season with the Mountaineers, he averaged 9.9 points and 4.1 rebounds per game, while adding 10 steals and six blocked shots. He had four of his nine games played in double-figure scoring, scoring at least seven points eight times.
The Robert Seidl Scholarship was established in 2018 in honor of Dr. Robert Seidl, longtime Redbird team doctor and supporter. The scholarship is awarded annually to a member of the men’s basketball team who showcases significant character, commitment to community service and high academic achievement within their chosen area of study.
Ramsin Benyamin Endowed Scholarship Recipient // Mark Freeman, Memphis, Tenn.
Freeman earned Second Team All-OVC honors last season at Tennessee State after averaging 17.1 points and 4.6 assists per game. He also pulled down 4.1 rebounds per game while adding 2.0 steals per contest. He was the OVC leader in free throw percentage, while standing third in both scoring and steals.
The Ramsin Benyamin Scholarship was established in 2018 in honor of Dr. Ramsin Benyamin, a valued Redbird team doctor and supporter. The scholarship is awarded annually to a member of the men’s basketball team who showcases significant character, commitment to community service and high academic achievement within their chosen area of study.
These endowed scholarships are among the more than 30 available to Illinois State student-athletes that are funded by private donors. For more information about establishing or contributing to an endowed scholarship, please call the Weisbecker Scholarship Fund office at (309) 438-3803. To read about each current endowment in more detail, visit the WSF website at https://ift.tt/3xsjzp7.
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