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Atlantic 10 Conference - complete list of winners
UMass Athletics
The Springfield Republican

HILADELPHIA - Sophomore Rashaun Freeman has been named to the Atlantic 10 All-Conference First Team as announced by the league office on Tuesday. Freeman becomes the first Minuteman since Monty Mack in 2001 to earn the honor.

Rashaun Freeman UMassHoops.com photo

Freeman has led the Minutemen throughout the 2004-05 season to their best overall record since 1999-00. The forward/center has averaged 15.3 points and 7.6 rebounds in his second campaign for UMass.

A selection to the league's preseason All-Conference first team by a vote of the A-10's coaches, Freeman has scored in double-figures in 21 of 27 games played this year. He leads the A-10 in field goal percentage at 54.1 percent from the floor. He also ranks fifth in rebounding and sixth in scoring among league players.

Earlier this season, Freeman was named to the NABC All-District I Second Team for the second consecutive year.

Twice this season, the 2003-04 Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year has helped secure victories for UMass against UConn and George Washington - both ranked nationally. His last second lay-ups in both games earned the Minutemen victories to help in UMass hopes for postseason play.

Freeman is joined by Pat Carroll of Saint Joseph's, Mardy Collins of Temple, Steven Smith of La Salle, and T.J. Thompson of George Washington on the first team.

Carroll and Smith were named the league's Co-Players of the Year. Saint Joseph's Phil Martelli was again named the A-10 Coach of the Year after earning the honor last season. This was the fourth time he has been tabbed the conference's top coach (1996-97, 2000-01, 2003-04, 2004-05).