Leritz Named CoSIDA Academic All-District

Senior forward advances to Academic All-America ballot

2/17/2022 11:08:00 AM

CoSIDA Release

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - Senior Matthew Leritz (St. Louis, Mo.-St. Louis University HS) of the Illinois Wesleyan University men's basketball team was named to the College Sports Information Directors of American Academic All-District 7 team Thursday, Feb. 17. He will now advance to the Academic All-America ballot with hopes of garnering Academic All-America status for the second consecutive year.

Leritz, a senior co-captain, has led the Titans to a 20-4 overall record and the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Regular Season Championship so far this season.

The St. Louis, Mo. native leads Illinois Wesleyan at 18.4 points per game, while he is also the team leader in rebounding with 9.7 boards per contest. Not to be overlooked, Leritz has been an elite passer for the Titans, ranking second on the squad with 60 assists. He has also notched 20 blocks and tallied 16 steals.

Within the CCIW, Leritz leads the league in three-point field goal percentage (43.5), ranks third in scoring, third in rebounding, fourth in field goal percentage (56.6), tied for third in blocked shots per game (0.9), and tied for 14th in assists per game (2.5).

He has posted nine double-doubles this season. He set the program's single-game rebounding record with 25 caroms in IWU's win at then-No. 1 Yeshiva, Dec. 30. Leritz dropped a career-high 31 points in Illinois Wesleyan's Senior Night victory over 13th-ranked Wheaton, Feb. 12.

The 6-foot-7 forward has reeled in countless accolades this season for his tremendous play. He is a three-time CCIW Player of the Week honoree, has been selected to the D3hoops.com Team of the Week three times this season, and was most recently named the United State Basketball Writers of America Division III Player of the Week. Prior to the season, Leritz was voted a D3hoops Preseason All-American pick.

Leritz and the Titans return to action Saturday, Feb. 19, as the Green and White close out the regular season at Augustana College. Timeout is set for 7 p.m. in Rock Island, Ill.

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