McLean County Times

Illinois Wesleyan University men's basketball player Nick Roper has received Preseason All-American honors from D3hoops.com. Announced on October 30, Roper was named to the Preseason All-American Third Team. He is the only student-athlete from the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin to make any of the five teams.

Last season, Roper was a First Team All-CCIW honoree, leading the Titans with an average of 12.4 points per game. He also led in rebounds with 5.9 per game. Over 27 games, he maintained a shooting percentage of 51.2 from the floor and 34.5 from three-point range. His performance included 21 steals, 13 blocks, and 46 assists for the year. Previously, he was recognized by both D3hoops.com and the National Basketball Coaches Association as an All-Region player during his junior year.

Roper and his team, ranked 16th nationally, will start their new season by hosting the fifth annual Sikma Hall of Fame Invitational on November 8-9.

The list of players receiving similar preseason accolades includes:

First Team: Luke Chicone (John Carroll), Jahn Hines (Christopher Newport), Logan Pearson (UW-Platteville), Christian Parker (Mount Union), Josh Van Gorp (Central).

Second Team: Adam Brazil (Hampden-Sydney), Octavio Brito (Keene State), Uchenna Egekeze (Calvin), Will Bartoszek (Hardin-Simmons), Emmanuel Megnanglo (Trine).

Third Team: Justin Allen (Carnegie Mellon), Hayden Doyle (Washington U.), Nick Roper (Illinois Wesleyan), Drake Kindsvatter (Washington U.), Jack Spellman (Stevens).

Fourth Team: Shane Regan (Wesleyan), Kevin Lazdowsky (Misericordia), Luke Frazier (John Carroll), Toby Harris (Brandeis), Ryan Broeckel (Wisconsin Lutheran).

Fifth Team: Joe Cookson (Pomona-Pitzer), Deonte Jackson (LeTourneau), Henry Vetter (Trinity Conn.), Scott Gyimesi (Tufts), Kamden Ross (Schreiner).