By SAM WILSON

Special to the Era

On the eve of the Atlantic 10 Tournament, two members of the St. Bonaventure men’s basketball team earned honors from the conference.

Senior guard Melvin Council Jr., the Bonnies’ leading scorer, made the A-10 All-Conference Third Team, and senior guard Chance Moore made the All-Academic Team.

The two seniors, both in their first season at SBU after arriving in the transfer portal, have helped lead Bona (21-10, 9-9) to the No. 8 seed in this week’s tournament, tipping off with No. 9 Duquesne to start Thursday’s second-round action at 11:30 a.m. in Washington, D.C.

Council, a Rochester native who played for Wagner College last year, quickly became one of Bona’s leaders this season and averaged 14.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 2.1 steals. He leads the team in minutes played, points, assists and steals and is third in rebounds.

Since the last two games of non-conference play, Council has played point guard due to a season-ending injury to backcourt mate Dasonte Bowen. In A-10 play, Council averaged 15.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.8 steals and 39.6 minutes per game: playing all 40 in 12 of 18 games, including 45 in an overtime game.

Council leads the conference in total steals and is 27th in the nation in the stat.

The A-10 listed six players on each of the first, second and third-teams.

Moore is one of five A-10 players to be recognized on the All-Academic Team. A St. Bonaventure press release stated he has a 3.54 cumulative GPA, majoring in communication, social justice and advocacy.

Moore is second on the team in scoring at 12.9 points per game, playing 29 of 31 total contests along with averages of 6.4 rebounds and 1.2 steals. He leads the Bonnies in rebounding and has five double- doubles.

A native of Brookhaven, Ga., Moore transferred to Bona after two seasons at Missouri State.

Among the top conference individual awards, two went to top-seeded VCU, whose Max Shulga was Player of the Year and Zeb Jackson was Sixth Man of the Year. For second-seeded George Mason, Tony Skinn is the Coach of the Year and Jared Billups the Defensive Player of the Year.

ATLANTIC 10 MEN’S BASKETBALL 2024-25 AWARDS Player of the Year: Max Shulga, VCU Defensive Player of the Year: Jared Billups, George Mason Rookie of the Year: Deuce Jones, La Salle Chris Daniels Most Improved Player: Reed Bailey, Davidson Sixth Man of the Year: Zeb Jackson, VCU Coach of the Year: Tony Skinn, George Mason All-Conference First Team Reed Bailey, Davidson Jalen Haynes, George Mason Xzayvier Brown, Saint Joseph’s Rasheer Fleming, Saint Joseph’s Gibson Jimerson, Saint Louis Max Shulga, VCU All-Conference Second Team Nate Santos, Dayton Rafael Castro, George Washington Jayden Dawson, Loyola Chicago Erik Reynolds II, Saint Joseph’s Robbie Avila, Saint Louis Joe Bamisile, VCU All-Conference Third Team Enoch Cheeks, Dayton Darius Maddox, George Mason Rahsool Diggins, Massachusetts Sebastian Thomas, Rhode Island Melvin Council Jr., St. Bonaventure Isaiah Swope, Saint Louis All-Academic Team Nate Santos, Dayton Dusan Neskovic, Richmond

Chance Moore, St. Bonaventure Gibson Jimerson, Saint Louis Joe Bamisile, VCU All-Defensive Team Enoch Cheeks, Dayton Jared Billups, George Mason Rafael Castro, George Washington Miles Rubin, Loyola Chicago Justice Ajogbor, Saint Joseph’s Luke Bamgboye, VCU All-Rookie Team Amaël L’Etang, Dayton Christian Jones, George Washington Deuce Jones, La Salle Dasear Haskins, SJU Luke Bamgboye, VCU