EDISON, NJ – The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference has announced the 2020-21 Men's Basketball All-MAAC Teams. Freshman Nelly Junior Joseph has been named to the MAAC All-Rookie Team and senior Isaiah Ross was voted to the All-MAAC First Team. Both Junior Joseph and Ross were unanimous selections.

NELLY JUNIOR JOSEPH

Nelly Junior Joseph is a four-time MAAC Rookie of the Week honoree. The Benin City, Nigeria native finished the regular season averaging 12.1 points and 7.1 rebounds per game while shooting 61.2% from the floor. Junior Joseph has three double-doubles this season, including a game on national television against Monmouth on February 19. Twice this season Junior Joseph scored a career-high 19 points. His season-high in rebounds is 12 which came against Coppin State on December 23.

Among all freshmen in the MAAC, Joseph's points and rebounds per game rank first. Also among qualified freshman with more than 50 field goal attempts, his field goal percentage ranks the best. Compared to all players in the MAAC, Junior Joseph ranks top-20 in defensive rebounds per game. The big-man's strong season also places him top-five in offensive rebounds, total rebounds, blocked shots and field goal percentage.

As a result of being voted to the MAAC All-Rookie Team, Junior Joseph is eligible to be named the MAAC Rookie of the Year when Wednesday's major awards are announced.

ISAIAH ROSS

Isaiah Ross started in each of Iona's 13 regular season games and scored double-digits in all but one. The three-time MAAC Player of the Week scored 30+ points three times, including a career-high 33 points in Iona's first win of the season at Hofstra on December 5. Ross enters the MAAC Tournament averaging 20.5 points per game and shooting 48.9% from the floor and 41.8% from deep. He has hit at least five three-point field goals in four contests this season.

Ross' prolific scoring average ranks first in the MAAC and ranks within the top-25 in the nation. As one of the league's most prolific shooters, it's no surprise that Ross ranks fourth in the MAAC in three-point field goal percentage at regular season's end. One of the three players ahead of him is teammate Ryan Myers. Ross led the MAAC in three-pointers per game with 2.9. The Davenport, Iowa native also ranks top-five in the MAAC in free throw percentage (83.9) and steals per game (1.6).

As a result of being voted to the All-MAAC First Team, Ross is eligible to be named the MAAC Player of the Year on Wednesday when the conference will announce its major awards.

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The full 2020-21 MAAC Preseason Selections are below.

ALL-MAAC FIRST TEAM

PLAYER	TEAM	POSITION
Manny Camper*	Siena	Guard/Forward
Deion Hammond	Monmouth	Guard
KC Ndefo	Saint Peter's	Forward
Isaiah Ross	Iona	Guard
Jalen Pickett	Siena	Guard

ALL-MAAC SECOND TEAM

PLAYER	TEAM	POSITION
Marcus Hammond	Niagara	Guard
George Papas	Monmouth	Guard
Dwight Murray Jr.	Rider	Guard
Jacob Rigoni	Quinnipiac	Forward
Kobi Nwandu	Niagara	Forward

ALL-MAAC THIRD TEAM TEAM

PLAYER	TEAM	POSITION
Warren Williams	Manhattan	Forward
Melik Martin	Monmouth	Forward
Daryl Banks III	Saint Peter's	Guard
Ant Nelson	Manhattan	Guard
Malek Green	Canisius	Forward
Jordan King	Siena	Guard

ALL-ROOKIE TEAM

PLAYER	TEAM	POSITION
Tymu Chenery*	Quinnipiac	Guard/Forward
Nelly Junior Joseph*	Iona	Forward
Louis Kortright*	Quinnipiac	Guard
Ricardo Wright*	Marist	Guard
Hakim Byrd	Marist	Guard

The MAAC will be announcing the 2020-21 major awards the morning of Wednesday, March 10. It'll also be announcing the Men's All-Academic Team.

The Maroon & Gold begin the 2021 MAAC Basketball Championship on Tuesday, March 9 against No. 8 Quinnipiac. The Gaels and Bobcats battle it out at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey at 5 p.m. The game is being aired on ESPN+.

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