Three Bruins Honored as Part of MVC Men's Basketball Awards

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Belmont University men's basketball student-athletes Malik Dia, Ja'Kobi Gillespie and Cade Tyson were honored as part of the 2024 Missouri Valley Conference All-Conference teams, the league announced Wednesday evening at the annual awards' ceremony.
 
Dia was named Third Team All-MVC and MVC All-Newcomer Team, Gillespie was named Second Team All-MVC and MVC All-Defensive Team and Tyson was named Second Team All-MVC.
 
Dia made a profound impact in his first season with the Bruin program, establishing himself as one of the most versatile scorers in the MVC. The 6-9 forward posted a team-high 28 double figure scoring games, including 11 games of 20 or more points. Dia was named MVC Newcomer of the Week three times this season. The Murfreesboro, Tennessee native posted a career-high 32 points, seven rebounds and three assists in Belmont's victory over Drake Jan. 7. Dia made the game-winning free throws in Belmont's victory over Georgia State Nov. 6 and a game-clinching 3-pointer at Penn Nov. 25. He ranks among MVC leaders in 10 statistical categories, including Top 5 in points, points per game, field goals, field goal percentage and free throw rate.
 
Gillespie, who was named to the MVC Most-Improved Team Tuesday, emerged as one of the most complete guards in the conference. Despite missing eight games due to a left wrist injury, Gillespie posted 22 double figure scoring games, including a career-high 26 points vs. Southern Illinois Feb. 14. The 6-1 guard ranks among league leaders in seven statistical categories, including first in steals, fifth in scoring and sixth in assists per game. Gillespie made the game-winning basket vs. Lipscomb Dec. 6 and the go-ahead basket vs. Murray State Feb. 7.
 
Tyson backed up a remarkable 2023 campaign with an impressive all-court game and staggering efficiency this season. The 6-7 guard/forward posted 24 double figure scoring games, including nine games of 20 or more points. Named to the MVC Scholar-Athlete Team Monday, Tyson scored a career-high 31 points at Samford and made a game-clinching basket vs. Arkansas State Dec. 20. The Monroe, North Carolina native ranks among MVC leaders in 14 statistical categories, including Top 5 in 3-point field goal percentage, 3-point field goals made and free throw percentage.
 
Belmont (19-12, 12-8 MVC) returns to game action Thursday vs. Valparaiso.
 
Belmont University men's basketball has been a postseason fixture the last two decades, including nine berths to the NCAA Tournament. The Bruins have won 20 conference championships since 2006 - third-most nationally over that span (Gonzaga, Kansas). Belmont has won 20 or more games in 13 consecutive seasons (Gonzaga, Kansas, Oregon, does not include '24) and 19 or game games in 19 consecutive seasons (Gonzaga, Kansas, San Diego State). Belmont is among select programs with two or more first-round selections in the NBA Draft over the last five years (Ben Sheppard, Dylan Windler). Belmont University men's basketball boasts an NCAA-leading 19 CoSIDA Academic All-America selections since 2001 and is the only NCAA Division I program to make the NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) Honor Roll every year of existence