May 1, 2003
FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- Deng Gai, a sophomore forward with the Fairfield University men's basketball team, earned yet another award for the 2002-03 season. He collected a spot on the All-Met (Metropolitan Basketball Writers) first team. It marked the first time the forward received that distinction.
Gai finished the season as the team's leading scorer (12.8 ppg), rebounder (6.8 rpg) and shot blocker (3.8 bpg). His shot-blocking average was good enough to place fourth in Division I. Gai blocked at least one shot in all but of his 20 appearances, including 12 games of four or more rejections. He tallied a double-double twice during the year, 11 points and 10 rebounds against Canisius as well as 20 points and 14 rebounds versus Saint Peter's. That 20-point performance was one of four during the campaign.
The sophomore has already received the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Defensive Player of the Year, All-MAAC first team honors, NABC All-District laurels as well as a spot on the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) All-Star team.
Fairfield University finished the 2002-03 season with a 19-12 overall record under fifth-year head coach Tim O'Toole. The Stags advanced to the MAAC championship game, and earned a berth in the NIT.
