The honors continue for Florida Southern College senior men’s basketball player Brett Hanson, who has advanced to the Top 14 list of finalists for the illustrious “Bevo” Francis Award.
The Clarence “Bevo” Francis Award is presented annually to the player who has had the finest overall season within Small College Basketball. Considerations will be season statistics and individual achievements, awards, personal character, and team achievements. This marks the fifth year of the “Bevo” Francis Award. This prestigious list features players from NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, NAIA Division I, NAIA Division III, USCAA, and the NCCAA.
The NABC National Division II Player of the Year, Hanson averaged 22.4 points, 6.9 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game for a Moccasin team that ended the year 29-2. Hanson was also named the D2CCA Player of the Year. For his career, Hanson scored 2,238 points, making him only the third player in school history to reach the 2,000 point threshold. Hanson shot nearly 50 percent from the field, scoring in double-figures in all 31 games this year, including 19 games with at least 20 points, and a career-high 42 points in a win over Lindenwood on Dec. 7.
He has also tallied 844 rebounds, good for sixth in the program’s record book. His 216 steals are good for fourth best, while his assist total of 439 ranks sixth. He was selected to play for the East in the NABC Reese’s Division II East-West All-Star game.
Earlier this spring, Hanson has also been named an All-American by the NABC, Second Team All-American by Division II Bulletin, Sunshine State Conference Player of the Year, and the SSC Championship Most Valuable Player.
Florida Southern boasted an overall record of 29-2, claimed the SSC regular season title with an 18-2 mark in regular season play, and captured the SSC Tournament title in convincing fashion. The Mocs were riding a 17 game winning streak, entering the NCAA South Region Championship.
The Mocs were ranked No. 5 in Division II, and No. 1 in the South Region. Florida Southern was set to host the South Region bracket of the NCAA Tournament.
The Bevo Francis Award winner will be announced on April 6.