ROHNERT PARK, CALIF. - On Wednesday, March 1st, the 2022-23 All-CCAA teams were announced with a historic headline of Sonoma State men's basketball player
Jaylen Wells being named the conference Player of the Year, becoming just the second player to earn the award in program history.
So. | Forward | Jaylen Wells - CCAA Player of the Year (First Team):
The accolades seem endless for the 6-foot-7 forward out of Sacramento as
Jaylen Wells put together one of the most productive offensive seasons in Sonoma State history, ranking inside the top-10 of nearly every offensive category in the CCAA. Wells finished the 2022-23 regular season leading the conference with 22.1 points per game, the 4th highest PPG mark in program history and the first 20-point scorer since 1990 (Todd Blakely, 25.0 PPG). Wells also ranked 2nd in the conference with 8.6 rebounds, 4th in field goal percentage (52%), 2nd in free throw percentage (86%), 5th in total steals (45), and 1st in minutes played averaging nearly 37 minutes a game.
In regards to the program's single season ranks, Wells has put himself in the top-10 of numerous categories including total points, rebounds, made field goals, made free throws, three point percentage, minutes played, and double-doubles. Wells's 618 total points ranks 2nd in single season program history, his 212 made field goals ranks 5th most, 151 made free throws ranks second, his 45% from three ranks inside the top-10, 1,028 minutes played sits 2nd most and 10 double-doubles on the season is tied for 3rd most.
Wells was a dominant threat inside and out and made a huge jump from his freshman season, nearly doubling his scoring average and recording career highs in every offensive category. Wells also became a threat from beyond the arc, almost doubling his three point percentage from 26% to 45% and with just one more attempt. His unique athletic ability allowed him to finish acrobatically at the rim and hang in the air for tough pull-up jumpers night in and night out.
The star sophomore helped lead the Seawolves to their first CCAA tournament appearance since the 2016-17 season, and was named to the All-CCAA First Team for the first time since 2017 when players Luke Cohran and Jimmy Golden earned the distinction. Wells also becomes just the second player in program history to be named CCAA Player of the Year as program Hall of Famer and current San Francisco State head coach Vince Inglima won the award during the 2005-06 season. Wells also took home three conference Player of the Week awards this season, tying Hall of Famer J.T. Tipton for most player of the week awards in a single season.
Congratulations once again to
Jaylen Wells on his historic season and being named the 2022-23 CCAA Player of the Year. Click HERE to see full program records for Sonoma State men's basketball and head to sonomaseawolves.com for full tournament info and media links.
Jr. | Guard | Austin Fadal - Honorable Mention:
The Seawolves had multiple players named to the All-CCAA teams for the first time since 2017 as junior guard
Austin Fadal earned Honorable Mention distinction for his efforts in the 2022-23 season. Fadal joined the men's basketball program as a DI transfer from Eastern Washington and made an immediate offensive impact.
After battling through injury in the beginning of the year, Fadal went for back-to-back 20-point games in conference action and jumped his scoring average all the way to 15 points. Fadal brought a crafty one-on-one scoring ability to the Seawolves offense and would finish the season as the only other double-digit scorer alongside teammate
Jaylen Wells.
Fadal recorded four 20-point games on the season and scored a career high 23 points in an electric 9-point win over CCAA rival Chico State. He also finished the regular season shooting 46% from the field in his 21 games played. Congratulations to both
Jaylen Wells and
Austin Fadal on their All-CCAA recognition and terrific seasons for Sonoma State.
LOOKING AHEAD:
Sonoma State will head south to Turlock for the CCAA Tournament as they take on Cal Poly Humboldt in the quarterfinals, making a tournament appearance for the first time since 2017. Full tournament info and media links can be found below or at sonomaseawolves.com and you can stream the game LIVE on the CCAA Network.
Be sure to follow your Seawolves on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to get all the latest SSU athletics updates and information. Sonoma State athletics also has launched a new fan app in partnership with From Now On. Download the free app today in both the Apple and Google Play stores by searching Sonoma State Seawolves in the app store. @SonomaSeawolves | #NomaNation
