Men's Basketball | April 11, 2017

PHILADELPHIA - La Salle University men's basketball standouts B.J. Johnson and Jordan Price were selected to the All-Philadelphia Big 5 teams, it was announced by the organization on Tuesday.

Johnson becomes the 37th player in the storied history of La Salle men's basketball to earn a spot on the first team, while Price, a former first-team selection, received recognition for the third straight season as he was named to the second team. The pair will be honored at the Big 5 Banquet on Monday, April 17 at the Palestra.

Johnson led the Explorers in both scoring (17.6 ppg) and rebounding (6.3), ranking second among all Big 5 players with his scoring average and fifth in rebounding. The 6-7 forward, who was also named to the National Association of Basketball Coaches All-District Team, scored 509 points in 2016-17 to become the 30th player in school history to eclipse the 500-point plateau in a single year. 

Price, who garnered his second straight second-team honor, ranked second on La Salle in scoring at 15.3 points per game. His scoring average ranked fifth among all players in the Big 5. For his career, the 6-5 shooting guard scored 1,623 points to stand 19th in school history.

Tickets for the banquet can be purchased at the door or by calling the La Salle ticket office at 215-951-1678. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m., with the awards ceremony scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. 

Along with the current season men's and women's award winners, the 2017 Big Five Hall of Fame class will be inducted. This year's class includes Carlene Hightower (La Salle), Ibrahim Jaaber (Penn), Jameer Nelson (Saint Joseph's), Lynn Greer (Temple), Randy Foye (Villanova), George Raveling (Villanova) and longtime Philadelphia Inquirer sportswriter Bill Lyon.

Philadelphia Big 5 Men's Basketball Award Winners
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Josh Hart, Villanova (Senior, Guard)
 
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Donte DiVincenzo, Villanova (Redshirt Freshman, Guard)
 
COACH OF THE YEAR
Jay Wright, Villanova
 
TEAM CHAMPIONS
Villanova Wildcats
 
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER
Shizz Alston, Jr., Temple (Sophomore, Guard)
 
SCHOLAR-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Jalen Brunson, Villanova (Sophomore, Guard)
 
LEADING SCORER
Josh Hart, Villanova (Senior, Guard)
 
LEADING FREE THROW SHOOTER
Josh Hart, Villanova (Senior, Guard)
 
ALL-BIG 5 FIRST TEAM
B.J. Johnson, La Salle
Shizz Alston, Jr., Temple
Jalen Brunson, Villanova
Josh Hart, Villanova
Kris Jenkins, Villanova
 
ALL-BIG 5 SECOND TEAM
Jordan Price, La Salle
Mikal Bridges, Villanova
AJ Brodeur, Penn
James Demery, Saint Joseph's
Obi Enechionyia, Temple
Matt Howard, Penn