SBC Release (PDF)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Illinois Wesleyan University men's basketball senior forward Matthew Leritz (St. Louis, Mo.-St. Louis University HS) reeled in yet another award Tuesday, March 15, as the Titan co-captain was named to the Bevo Francis Award Top-25 Watch List by Small College Basketball. He is the first Illinois Wesleyan University men's basketball player to make the top-25 list since the award's inception in 2016. 

The award, which is presented by Small College Basketball, is presented annually to the player who has had the finest overall season within NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, NAIA, USCAA Division I, USCAA Division II, NCCAA Division I, and NCCAA Division II. Considerations will be season statistics and individual achievements, awards, personal character and team achievements.

Leritz, a three-time D3hoops.com Team of the Week selection, averaged 17.8 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game for the Titans. He was named the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin's Player of the Year, an unanimous First Team All-CCIW honoree, a three-time CCIW Player of the Week pick, and reeled in US Basketball Writers Association Division III National Player of the Week status.

Leritz, who broke the IWU single-game rebounding record with 25 boards at Yeshiva, Dec. 30, averaged 17.8 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per contest this season. He shot 55.7 percent from the floor and 43.4 percent from three-point range. Leritz scored 535 points during the 2021-22 campaign, a total that ranks 16th in IWU single season history. Additionally, his 286 rebounds rank ninth in Illinois Wesleyan single season laurels and are the most by a Titan since Bill Braksick grabbed 347 (fourth-most) boards during the 1987-88 season.

Leritz is the only  College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin student-athletes to make the cut. The finalists will be revealed April 2. Small College Basketball will name the 2022 recipient of the award April 4.