Fort Worth-area boys basketball awards: Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, more
It’s basketball awards week at the Star-Telegram, and we’re releasing individual awards before the reveal of the Fort Worth All-Area Super Team on Wednesday, March 26.
Here are the individual award winners for the 2024-25 boys’ basketball season.
Player of the Year: Eze Nwakamma, Mansfield Lake Ridge
Eze Nwakamma, a 6-foot-8 senior forward, averaged 15 points, eight rebounds, two steals and two assists per game. He was named the MVP of District 3-6A, which included state-ranked teams such as Crowley and North Crowley.
Nwakamma led nationally ranked Mansfield Lake Ridge to a 33-3 record, a 12-0 district championship run, and an area-round playoff appearance. The Eagles were ranked No. 3 in the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches rankings.
As a TABC All-State and All-Region selection, Nwakamma scored over 1,000 points in his career and has offers from Long Island University and more.
Offensive Player of the Year: Javen Colbert, Decatur
When it comes to scoring in Class 4A Texas basketball, Decatur senior guard Javen Colbert is in a league of his own. To end an eventful high school basketball career, he averaged 32 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5 assists and 4.1 steals per game.
His well-rounded offensive skillset is a rarity for a high school athlete. Colbert made 121 three-pointers at a 42% clip, and he also shot 90% from the free-throw line. As a ballhandler, his quick first step and fast changes of direction give an advantage, and he finishes at the rim with “sneaky athleticism.”
“Javen skill set is unique in that his best skill is his passing ability,” Decatur coach Robert Yeatts said. “Although he scores it, ... his best skill is being able to make a pass and see the play happen before it happens.”
Colbert, a future Division 1 player committed to Troy, had seven 40-point games and a 51-point game en route to consecutive TABC All-State honors. He scored 2,631 career points and 1,102 season points on his way to becoming the No.1 scorer in Texas and No. 24 in the nation. Colbert led Decatur to a 29-9 record and a regional final appearance in the Class 4A Division 1 bracket.
Defensive Player of the Year: Ian Sedah, Mansfield Summit
Ian Sedah, the District 8-5A Defensive MVP, helped power Mansfield Summit to a Class 5A Division 2 state championship win. He averaged 12 points and 7.5 rebounds on the season, helping lead his team to a district title.
Sedah was a focal point in a well-rounded, dangerous Jaguar squad with a reputation for terrific team defense. Summit was ranked No. 6 in Class 5A by the TABC and proved its worth with a dominant playoff run.
In the Class 5A Division 2 state championship, Sedah earned MVP and 5A All-Tournament honors with 17 points, 13 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocks. He was named to the Class 5A TABC All-State team and also earned All-Region honors.
Newcomer of the Year: Wesley Zenon, Eaton
Wesley Zenon, a sophomore guard and forward, earned District 4-6A Newcomer of the Year honors after a stellar debut season that saw him average 13 points on 54% shooting and 5 rebounds.
Zenon has an impressive ability to attack the basket with a lengthy 6-foot-4 frame. With an intense energy and physicality for an underclassman, Zenon showcases elite efficiency, aggressiveness, skill and footwork in the post.
Coach of the Year: Doug Groff, Kennedale
Kennedale, ranked No. 12 by the TABC, won the Class 4A Division 2 state championship with a 69-65 victory over Wheatley to win the title. Led by coach Doug Groff, The Wildcats went on a 9-0 run in the final moments to capture the program-defining victory.
It was Kennedale’s first state title since 2008, but the Wildcats are no stranger to success throughout Groff’s tenure. In his 22 seasons at the helm, the Wildcats have had just two losing seasons, with the latter coming nearly 16 years ago in the 2009 season; Groff has 541 wins in his career.
Honorable Mentions: Emund Prichett, Mansfield Summit and Anthony Holman, Birdville
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