IU East News
Tyler Rigby didn't believe the news at first.
Believe it: Rigby, a junior guard on the Indiana University East men's basketball team, was named to the NAIA honorable mention All-America list, the NAIA announced March 17.
"I didn't believe Coach Hester when he told me," Rigby said after getting the good news from IU East coach Mark Hester. "I thought he was playing around with me, but then I could tell he was really excited."
Rigby (Bryant, Ind./Jay County High School) is the first NAIA men's basketball All-American from IU East.
"I never thought much about it," said Rigby, who would rather face a triple-team from a defense than talk about his individual accomplishments.
"But now that it has happened, you realize it's what you play for, to become one of the best. It's another stepping stone to become the best you can be."
Rigby, a junior guard, is one of 69 players on the NAIA All-America teams. Players were selected by the NAIA's All-America committee.
"I'm so proud that Tyler got this honor," said Hester. "If anyone has ever been deserving, it's him.
"He's not only a quality basketball player, but also a quality person, going to work with schools in the community and things the selection committee doesn't know about. We're just very fortunate to have a player like him."
Rigby averaged 19.1 points per game during his junior season, the 23rd-best scoring average in the NAIA Division II.
Rigby's season included a string of 12 consecutive games with at least 20 points.
He ranked in the NAIA Division II's top 50 in four other offensive categories - 3-point field goal percentage (10th at .435), field goal percentage (42nd at .516), total points (46th with 536) and 3-point field goals per game (48th with 2.4).
Rigby finished his junior season with 1,079 career points at IU East. He became the Red Wolves' NAIA career points record holder and also became the first IU East player to score 1,000 points in NAIA competition.
He now holds IU East's NAIA career school records for games started (55), field goals (384) and 3-point field goals (148).
Rigby hopes to get even better for his senior season at IU East.
"You can never be too good on defense, and that's one thing I'll work on as long as I play the game," Rigby said. "I'll try to get quicker and more physical.
"Any player has a lot they can improve on."
Steve Briggs of Oklahoma Wesleyan was named the NAIA Division II Player of the Year.
Rigby was one of three players from the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference named to the NAIA All-America teams.
Mikah Turner of Berea College was a third-team selection. Jazzmarr Ferguson of Indiana University Southeast joined Rigby on the honorable mention list.
Visit http://naia.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl-div2/spec-rel/031610aak.html for the full NAIA Division II All-America list.
