Dayton’s Obi Toppin named Atlantic 10 Player of the Year, Grant voted Coach of the Year

By JACOB POLACHECK

Dayton sophomore forward Obi Toppin was named the Atlantic 10 Conference Men’s Basketball Player of the Year Tuesday while Dayton’s head coach Anthony Grant was voted A-10 Coach of the Year.

The league announced its awards Tuesday in advance of the 2020 Men’s Basketball Championship, which begins Wednesday at Barclays Center.

Toppin, who is a finalist or semifinalist for several national player of the year honors, led Dayton to a perfect A-10 record and the Atlantic 10 regular season title.

Toppin averaged 20 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game, while shooting 63.3 percent from the field, which ranks fifth nationally.

Grant, in his third season at Dayton, led the Flyers to a 29-2 overall record and a 18-0 A-10 mark. Both of Dayton’s losses have come in overtime on neutral courts.

Dayton is ranked third in the AP and Coaches’ Poll.

Coaches Atlantic 10 Awards

Coach of the Year: Anthony Grant, Dayton
Player of the Year: Obi Toppin, Dayton
Sixth Man of the Year: Javonte Perkins, Saint Louis
Rookie of the Year: Tre Mitchell, UMass
Most Improved Player: AJ Wilson, George Mason
Defensive Player of the Year: Jacob Gilyard, Richmond

All-Atlantic 10 First Team
Obi Toppin, Dayton
Jacob Gilyard, Richmond
Jalen Crutcher, Dayton
Fatts Russell, Rhode Island
Kyle Lofton, St. Bonaventure
Jordan Goodwin, Saint Louis

All-Atlantic 10 Second Team
Kellan Grady, Davidson
Marcus Weathers, Duquesne
Blake Francis, Richmond
Grant Golden, Richmond
Hasahn French, Saint Louis
Tre Mitchell, UMass

All-Atlantic 10 Third Team
Jon Axel Gudmundsson, Davidson
Trey Landers, Dayton
Jeff Dowtin, Rhode Island
Osun Osunniyi, St. Bonaventure
Ryan Daly, Saint Joseph’s
Javonte Perkins, Saint Louis

All-Academic Team
Jeff Dowtin, Rhode Island
Ryan Mikesell, Dayton
Jaren English, St. Bonaventure
Toliver Freeman, Saint Joseph’s
Marcus Santos-Silva, VCU

All-Defensive Team
Fatts Russell, Rhode Island
Jacob Gilyard, Richmond
Osun Osunniyi, St. Bonaventure
Hasahn French, Saint Louis
Jordan Goodwin, Saint Louis

All-Rookie Team
Hyunjung Lee, Davidson
Jamison Battle, George Washington
Tre Mitchell, UMass
Yuri Collins, Saint Louis
Bones Hyland, VCU

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