Gannon University Athletics

Career Accolades

• PSAC West Men's Basketball Defensive Athlete of the Week (12/4/23, 2/12/24, 2/19/24)

2023-24: Emerged as one of the top freshmen in the PSAC while coming off the bench to play in all 35 games … in just under 16 minutes per game averaged 8.0 ppg. and a team-leading 6.6 rpg. … also led the team with 34 blocked shots, adding 40 assists and 36 steals … finished 10th in the PSAC in blocks per game (1.0 per game) … shot a team-high 54.8 percent (108-of-197), making 1-of-7 3-pointers, and was 62-of-96 at the line (64.6 pct.) … outstanding offensive rebounder who led Gannon with 86 offensive boards … was named the PSAC West Defensive Athlete of the Week three times, including back-to-back weeks in February … led the team in scoring once, that a 20-point (9-of-12 FG, 2-of-3 FTs) in 23 minutes at East Stroudsburg (12/2/23), and was the team’s top rebounder a team-high 19 occasions … also led the team with four double-doubles … scored in double figures in ten games and pulled down 10-or-more rebounds six times … recorded first career double-double at Pitt-Johnstown (1/27/24), finishing with 16 points and a season-high 13 rebounds … added back-to-back double-doubles against Slippery Rock (2/14/24) and Clarion (2/17/24) … had 13 points and 12 rebounds vs. SRU and followed with 16 points and 11 boards vs. Clarion … turned in an outstanding performance in Atlantic Regional semifinal game with 14 points and 11 rebounds against West Liberty … had season-high five blocks vs. Seton Hill (1/31/24) and had a high of five steals against Georgian Court (11/24/23).

AT HARGRAVE MILITARY ACADEMY: Played for a highly successful Hargrave Military Academy in 2022-23 … helped Hargrave post an incredible 44-2 record under head coach Thomas Messinger in 2022-23 … the Tigers won the Elite Prep League regular season championship as well as the Elite Prep League Tournament Championship in addition to securing titles in the Fork Union Christmas Tournament and the First Piedmont Corp. Invitational … they would go on to reach the national Sweet 16 … averaged 10.7 ppg., 7.1 rpg., 1.4 steals per game and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting 58.7 percent from the floor at Hargrave.

HIGH SCHOOL:  Was a two-year starter for head coach Terry Henderson at Thomas Edison High School in Alexandria, Va. … earned first team All-District honors and was also a first team All-Region and was named to the District All-Defensive Team … averaged 20 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists as a senior and 30 points per game in the playoffs.

PERSONAL:  Sports Management major … son of Laurie Best … has one brother (Jesse).