Hawai’i’s attention-drawing center, Tanner Christensen, was the only Warrior player to receive attention Tuesday when the All-Big West Conference men’s basketball individual honors were announced.
Christensen, a graduate transfer from Utah Tech, garnered Honorable Mention after finishing sixth in the league among rebounders — averaging 6.9 boards per game. He also averaged 10.8 ppg, and even when he did not put up big numbers in the scoring column, Christensen was a focal point for opponents who often denied entry passes to him or collapsed on him once he received them.
Christensen was also recognized by Warriors coach Eran Ganot as “an elite screen setter,” which freed up teammates for open shots or cuts to the basket. Christensen also blocked 24 shots, dished out 36 assists and made seven steals. He also led the team in field goal percentage (.599).
And at 6-feet-10, Christensen made 6 of 14 attempts (42.9 percent) from 3-point range.
Among others honored, former UH Hilo forward Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones of UC San Diego was named Big West Player of the Year.
ALL-BIG WEST FIRST TEAM
Barrington Hargress, UC Riverside
TY Johnson, UC Davis
Keonte Jones, Cal State Northridge
Bent Leuchten, UC Irvine
Tyler McGhie, UC San Diego
Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones, UC San Diego
Player of the Year: Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones, UC San Diego
Coach of the Year: Eric Olen, UC San Diego
SECOND TEAM
Marcus Adams, Jr., Cal State Northridge
Hayden Gray, UC San Diego
Jemel Jones, Cal State Bakersfield
Stephan Swenson, UC Santa Barbara
Devin Tillis, UC Irvine
Best Defensive Player: Hayden Gray, UC San Diego
Newcomer of the Year: Jemel Jones, Cal State Bakersfield
Best Hustle Player: Chris Howell, UC San Diego
Best Sixth Player: Justin Rochelin, UC San Diego
Freshman of the Year: Jurian Dixon, UC Irvine
HONORABLE MENTION: Cole Anderson (UC Santa Barbara), Devin Askew (Long Beach State), Myles Che (UC Irvine), TANNER CHRISTENSEN, HAWAI’I, Justin Hohn (UC Irvine), Owen Koonce (Cal Poly), Kenny Pohto (UC Santa Barbara), Isaiah Moses (UC Riverside), Scotty Washington (Cal State Northridge)