April 4, 2008

Moraga, CA - Three days after being named to the Defensive All-America team, Saint Mary's forward Diamon Simpson has been selected as the CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Defensive Player of the Year. Simpson was one of sixteen players to receive Defensive All-America honors from CollegeInsider.com. The 6-foot-7 junior was named West Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year in March.

"This is such an honor for Diamon to be recognized as the best defender in the country," says Saint Mary's head coach Randy Bennett. "He's a great teammate and an outstanding person, and for him to be recognized as the top defensive player, with so many talented athletes in basketball, says a lot for what he has accomplished in his career at Saint Mary's. His hard work and determination is paying off."

A first-team All-WCC selection, Simpson paced the Gaels with 57 blocks, as SMC tallied a WCC-best 169 blocked shots this season, the second most in a single season in WCC history (SMC set the record last season with 172). With four blocks against Fresno State, earlier this season, Simpson passed Brad Millard for the school record in blocked shots with 157. With three blocks against Miami, in the first round of the NCAA tournament, Simpson now has 182 blocks and ranks tied for fourth on the WCC all-time list.

"Diamon Simpson is one of the more under appreciated players in America," says CollegeInsider.com's Matt Drake. "He brings an energy and intensity to the floor that is unmatched. He sets the tone with his ability to defend and create opportunities for his teammates. He is as important to his team's success as any player in the country."

This season Simpson joined the elite 700-rebound club at Saint Mary's, and has a total of 751 rebounds, which includes 276 offensive rebounds in 93 career games. Simpson currently ranks second in school history in career rebounds, and will need 166 rebounds during his senior season to pass Tom Meshery's (1958-61) school record of 916 career rebounds.

He became the 25th player in school history to pass 500 rebounds when he had a career and season-high 16 rebounds against San Diego State earlier this season. He became just the 16th player to eclipse the 600-rebound mark when he had 10 boards in the conference opener against Santa Clara. With his 15 rebounds against Kent State, he became the eighth player in school history to reach 700 career rebounds.