March 10, 2005

DENVER - University of Denver junior center Yemi Nicholson (Aurora, Colo.) was named to the United States Basketball Writers Association All-District 8 Regional Team it was announced. Nicholson is the fourth Pioneer to earn the award, joining Harry Hollines in 1967 and 1968 and B.J. Pratt in 2001.

Nicholson is one of the most improved players in the country. The 6-10 post player, who averaged 7.5 points per game and 4.3 rebounds per game as a sophomore, is putting up 18.2 points (third in the league), 8.6 boards (second) and is the only player in the league averaging more than three blocks per contest. In Sun Belt-only games, Nicholson averaged 21.2 points and 9.7 rebounds and 4 blocks per contest.

He helped lead the Pioneers, who were picked to finish last in the West Division according to a preseason coaches poll, to their first ever Sun Belt West Division title.

The Pioneers, who won 20 games for the first time since returning to the Division I level in 1998, await a postseason bid from the NIT.

The District 8 Team, voted on by media members of the USBWA, is comprised of NCAA Division I players from Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico, Nevada, Idaho and Montana.

USBWA ALL-DISTRICT 8 TEAM
Lance Allred	Weber State
Odartey Blankson	UNLV
Andrew Bogut	Utah
Nick Fazekas	Nevada
Danny Granger	New Mexico
Mark Jackson	Utah
Spencer Nelson	Utah State
Yemi Nicholson	Denver
Ronnie Price	Utah Valley State
Jay Straight	Wyoming
Nick Weltch	Air Force