ELLENSBURG, Wash – Central Washington University men's basketball's Xavier Smith was named the GNAC Player of the Year and was a unanimous First Team All-GNAC selection. David Thompson earned an Honorable Mention All-GNAC selection.

"Xavier and David have been a big part of our team's success all season long and it's good to see them honored for that by the conference," CWU Head Coach Brandon Rinta said.
 
Smith led the Wildcats and finished in second in the GNAC in scoring, averaging 19 points per game – pacing a GNAC-leading and 28^th in Division II CWU scoring offense. He shot 51.9 percent from the field, 40.2 percent from deep, and 86.9 percent from the free throw line.
 
The Seattle native added 101 rebounds, 44 assists, 18 steals, and 12 blocks. Smith scored a career-high 32 points against Western Washington University on January 29. He scored 10 or more points in all but one games this season.

"I thought Xavier was the best player in the conference all season long, but you never know how the voting is going to go," Rinta added. "What has been impressive about his season is how efficient he has been.  He has worked as hard at improving as any player I have coached.  I still think his best days are ahead of him."
 
In GNAC play, Smith's numbers increased. He averaged 20.2 points per game against GNAC foes while shooting 52.8 percent. He knocked down 43.3 percent of his chances from deep and posted a free throw percentage of 94.1.
 
Thompson averaged 15.2 points per game, while shooting 44.9 percent from the field. He hauled in 77 rebounds, a team-high 79 assists and 31 steals, and two blocks. He recorded a career-high 29 points against Alaska Fairbanks on January 15. Thompson scored 10 or more points in 18 games this season.
 
Central Washington is the No. 5 seed in the GNAC Championship and opens play against Montana State Billings on Thursday (Mar .3) at 5:15 p.m. in Lacey, Washington.