Courtesy of Alex Lehmbeck, Asst. SID, Norfolk State Athletics
Norfolk State seniors Joe Bryant Jr. and Kris Bankston have been named to Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID) University Division All-State Men’s Basketball teams, the organization announced on Wednesday afternoon.
Bryant was named to the All-State First Team for the second consecutive season, while Bankston received a spot on the Second Team for his first All-State selection. It marked the first time the Spartans have had two players represented on All-State teams since 2014-15, when Jeff Short and RaShid Gaston earned Second Team honors.
Bryant becomes the first player in program history to receive VaSID All-State First Team honors in two different seasons. The recognition comes after the guard averaged 17.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game this year, earning MEAC Player of the Year and BOXTOROW HBCU Division I Player of the Year honors for the second straight season.
Bankston adds the All-State accolades to his decorated resume this season, which includes All-MEAC First Team, MEAC All-Defensive Team, and BOXTOROW HBCU All-America First Team selections. He averaged 14.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game, while his 68.8 field goal percentage ranked fourth in the country.
