Anzuluni Becomes Highlanders’ First All-American
(Houghton,
N.Y.)— Yannick
Anzuluni (Ottawa, Ontario/Garneau) has been named a 2nd
Team All-American, marking the first time in the
history of the Houghton College men’s basketball program
that a player has earned NAIA All-American status as a
player.
The 6’8” junior forward has been a three-year starter
for the Highlanders, and has progressively climbed the ranks
as one of the premier players in the American Mideast
Conference. As a freshman in the 2006-07 season, he was
named to the AMC All-Freshman Team and Honorable Mention
All-Conference. After his sophomore season in 2007-08,
Anzuluni moved to the All-Conference 2nd Team.
This year he was named 1st Team All-Conference
and finished in as one of the top three vote-getters in the
race for conference Player of the Year.
His play on the hardwood has mirrored his ascent in
reputation. His total points, total rebounds, defensive
rebounds, blocks, and free throw percentage have all
increased after each season. His 21.89 points a game led the
AMC this season, and he finished the season with 1,156
career points, scoring 569 this season and surpassing the
1,000 point mark for his career on February 3rd
with a jump shot against Daemen College.
His 10.62 rebounds per game were also best in the
conference, as were his 1.92 steals. He was 1st
in the conference in defensive rebounds (7.65), 2nd
in double-doubles (14), 3rd in offensive rebounds
(3.19), 3rd in blocks (1.89), and 7th
in free throw percentage (77.2%). He also finished the year
as one of only two players in the AMC to average a
double-double.
Those numbers led to an impressive resumé not only in
the American Mideast Conference, but also at the national
level. Anzuluni finished the year 6th nationally in both
defensive and total rebounds per game, 8th in
points per game, 11th in blocks, 28th
in offensive rebounds, and 46th in steals.
He also set career highs in points (35 – three
times), field goals made (15), three point field goals made
(4), free throws made (16) and attempted (19), and assists
(7).
A natural leader, Anzuluni took on much more
responsibility within the team setting this year and helped
the Highlanders to their most successful season in 13 years.
The Highlanders won 10 games for the first time since the
1995-96 season, and finished 5-8 in the conference. The
Highlanders swept rival Roberts Wesleyan, a feat that hadn’t
happened in 17 years. Houghton finished the year ranked 12th
in the nation in scoring defense per game (65.8 points), 21st
in free throw percentage (71.7%) and 24th in
total rebound defense (32.4).
“I am a big believer that personal accolades do not
come without team success,” said Highlanders coach Brad
Zarges. “Our team took a lot of steps towards where we want
to be this season, and Yannick’s efforts were a big part of
that. His vocal leadership on and off the court match his
all-out effort on a daily basis, and his play reflected the
hard work that he has put in to become one of the best
players in the nation. His dedication to the Houghton
College community and Highlander basketball has been a great
example for his teammates, and we look forward to another
great season next year.”
