Colorado State’s Nique Clifford named to All-Mountain West first, defensive teams

Nique Clifford leads a trio of Colorado players who were named to this year’s Mountain West all-conference men’s basketball teams.

The 6-foot-6 senior guard, who starred at The Vanguard School in Colorado Springs, was named to the all-defensive team and was an all-conference first-team selection. He led the Rams in points (18.4 per game), rebounds (9.4) and assists (4.4), leading them to a 22-9 regular-season record (16-4 in the MW). It’s his second all-conference selection as he received third-team honors last season.

Air Force senior guard Ethan Taylor made the third team after leading the Falcons in points (13.6), rebounds (5.4), assists (3.5) and steals (1.5).

Wyoming senior guard Obi Agbim — who starred at Rangeview High School, Fort Lewis College and Metro State before joining the Cowboys — was also a third-team selection and named the Mountain West newcomer of the year. Agbim averaged a team-high 17.8 points and 3.5 assists.

Colorado State sophomore guard Kyan Evans was named an honorable mention.

Here’s a look at the complete All-Mountain West teams and individual awards:

First team

• Tyson Degenhart, Sr., F, Boise State
• Nique Clifford, Sr., G, Colorado State
• Donovan Dent, Jr., G, New Mexico
• Nelly Junior Joseph, Sr., C, New Mexico
• Ian Martinez, Sr., G, Utah State

Second team

• Alvaro Cardenas, Sr., G, Boise State
• Nick Davidson, Jr., F, Nevada
• Nick Boyd, Sr., G, San Diego State
• Miles Byrd, So., G, San Diego State
• Mason Falslev, So., G, Utah State

Third team

• Ethan Taylor, Sr., G, Air Force
• Kobe Sanders, Sr., G, Nevada
• Josh Uduje, Sr., G, San José State
• Dedan Thomas Jr., So., G, UNLV
• Obi Agbim, Sr., G, Wyoming

Defensive team

• Nique Clifford, Sr., G, Colorado State
• Nelly Junior Joseph, Sr., C, New Mexico
• Miles Byrd, So., G, San Diego State
• Magoon Gwath, R-Fr., F, San Diego State
• Mason Falslev, So., G, Utah State

Honorable mention

• Kyan Evans, So., G, Colorado State
• Tru Washington, So., G, New Mexico
• Magoon Gwath, R-Fr., San Diego State

Player of the Year: Donovan Dent, Jr., G, New Mexico

Defensive Player of the Year: Magoon Gwath, R-Fr., F, San Diego State

Newcomer of the Year: Obi Agbim, Sr., G, Wyoming

Sixth Man of the Year: Javan Buchanan, Jr., F, Boise State

Freshman of the Year: Magoon Gwath, R-Fr., F, San Diego State

Steve Fisher Coach of the Year: Richard Pitino, New Mexico

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