Jeremy Harper Arkansas State Athletics, Basketball, Women's Sport

Norchad Omier is your Sun Belt Player (and Defensive Player) of the Year

Arkansas State forward Norchad Omier was named the Sun Belt Player of the Year in men’s basketball, adding to his trophy case after winning SBC Freshman of the Year in 2020-21.

Norchad Omier says he has room to improve, which is scary.

Omier finished the regular season averaging 19.1 points, 13.2 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per game. He also ranked second in the Sun Belt for blocked shots (56) and second for field-goal percentage (.647). The “COVID” freshman was the only player in the Sun Belt to average a double-double.

According to Mark Taylor of A-State, Omier joins Mike Wells (WKU 2003-04) and Chris Marcus (WKU 2000-01) as SBC players to win both POY and DPOY in same season. Omier is the first A-State player to be POY since Chico Fletcher in 1998-99, and the first A-State player to be DPOY since Jason Jennings in 2001-02.

Norchad also lead the team in thunderous NorSLAMS™

Lauryn Pendelton was also named Sun Belt Freshman of the Year in women’s basketball. Pendelton averaged 11.2 P/G, 4.6 R/G, 84.1 FT%. She is the first A-State player to win the award since 1997, when Julie Hagood took the honors.

CORRECTION: An earlier version contained an erroneous name for Ms. Pendelton. The responsible party has been sent to the Russian front.

Photo Credit: Mine. MINE!