The Nassau Community College (NCC) Men's Basketball team has made an impressive start to the 2024-25 season, earning a spot in the NJCAA Division III week 2 rankings at #14 in the nation. This recognition comes as a result of their outstanding performance on the court, backed by strong individual efforts and a team-first mentality.

Key Players Leading the Charge

Several players have stepped up early in the season, contributing significantly to the team's success. Here are some standout performances:

• Donte Howard (So., G): Howard has been a force on both ends of the floor, averaging a team-high 19.2 points per game. In six games, he's shooting 46.4% from the field and 33.3% from three-point range. His 25 free throws made (out of 33 attempts) reflect his ability to drive to the basket. Howard's leadership has been crucial, as he's played the most minutes of anyone on the team (176) and is central to the team's offensive flow as he also leads the team in assists averaging 6.2 per game.

• Sean Walsh (So., G): Walsh has been a reliable contributor, averaging 19.7 points per game and shooting an impressive 59.4% from the field, including a scorching 56.8% from beyond the arc. His ability to hit three-pointers consistently makes him a significant threat on the floor. Walsh has also been highly effective at the free-throw line, converting 88.2% of his attempts.

• Isaiah Lariosa (So., G): Lariosa is another key contributor, with averages of 9.3 points per game and 6.8 rebounds per game. His shooting from the field (45.8%) and from the three-point line (50%) has been crucial for stretching defenses and creating scoring opportunities for the team.

Overall Team Performance

NCC's offensive game has been firing on all cylinders, averaging 80.8 points per game. The team has been sharing the ball well, recording 16 assists per game. Their ability to hit threes and play inside makes them a dangerous team for opponents. Their shooting percentages reflect their balanced approach to scoring, as well as their focus on teamwork and efficiency.

On the defensive side, Nassau has been holding opponents to an average of 59.7 points per game, ranking them 4th in the nation in that category. NCC also rankings in the top ten nationally with opponents averaging 20.8 turnovers per game placing them 8th in the nation.

Upcoming Challenges

As NCC moves forward in the season, their ranking of #14 shows that they are a top contender in the NJCAA Division III ranks. However, the road ahead will be full of tough matchups as their next four games see them playing Monroe-Bronx (11/21) at home then on the road for tough games against Kingsborough (12/5), Dutchess (12/7), then back at home for Hostos (12/10) . They will need to continue playing unselfishly and rely on their depth to navigate through competitive teams in the conference and beyond.

With players like Howard, Walsh, and Lariosa leading the charge, Nassau Community College Men's Basketball looks poised for a successful season, with their eyes set on climbing even higher in the rankings as the season progresses.