With the news Tuesday that Atlantic 10 coaches had named Xavier's David West the league's player of the year, coach Skip Prosser was asked what West could do better next season.

        “Our team could win (the league),” he said. “That's an individual thing as well as a team thing.”

        West reacted similarly.

        “I don't care about that (award),” he said. “I don't have personal goals. I want to give my teammates credit for looking for me and helping me. But as for awards, I'd much rather win every game.”

        West is just the second sophomore to win this award. Temple guard Mark Macon, 12 seasons ago, was the first.

        He is XU's first player of the year in A-10 play. Byron Larkin, Tyrone Hill and Brian Grant won top player honors in the Midwestern Collegiate Conference.

        West is tied for the national lead with 19 double-doubles and ranks fourth in rebounding (11.0). His 17.7 scoring average ranks seventh in the A-10.

        “A double-double against this competition? That's as good a year as I can remember a Xavier player having,” Prosser said.

        West had a strong freshman season, leading the A-10 in rebounding (9.1) and averaging 11.7 points, but he was a second-team A-10 pick in preseason.

        “He's gotten stronger,” XU assistant coach Mark Schmidt said. “He's gotten more confident. (The award) is a testament to how he's been playing, his understanding of the game, and his progression as a player playing with his back to the basket.”

        St.Joseph's coach Phil Martelli has called West “unguardable.”

        “If he works hard to get open, he's difficult to guard,” Prosser said. “He has really become more assertive.”

        West was the only Musketeer on the first, second or third teams. XU freshman guard Romain Sato (11.1 ppg) was named to the A-10's all-rookie team.

        First team: Rasual Butler, La Salle, F, Jr., 6-7; Lynn Greer Temple G Jr. 6-1; Monty Mack Massachusetts G Sr. 6-3; Marvin O'Connor St. Joseph's G Jr. 6-4; David West Xavier F/C So. 6-8 .

        Second team: Kevin Houston St. Bonaventure G/F Sr. 6-4; Kevin Lyde Temple C Jr. 6-9; Jameer Nelson St. Joseph's G Fr. 6-1; Tony Stanley Dayton G Sr. 6-4; Victor Thomas La Salle F Sr. 6-7

        Third team: J.R. Bremer St. Bonaventure G Jr. 6-2; Chris Monroe George Washington G So. 6-3; Bill Phillips St. Joseph's F Jr. 6-9; Kitwana Rhymer Massachusetts F/C Sr. 6-10; Quincy Wadley Temple G Sr. 6-4

        Rookie team: David Hawkins Temple G Fr. 6-4; Jeff McMillan Fordham F Fr. 6-8; Jameer Nelson St. Joseph's G Fr. 6-1; Romain Sato Xavier G/F Fr. 6-4; Keith Waleskowski Dayton F/C Fr. 6-8

        Defensive team: Lynn Greer Temple G Jr. 6-1; Jason Harris Fordham G Sr. 5-9; Kitwana Rhymer Massachusetts F/C Sr. 6-10; Tony Stanley Dayton G Sr. 6-4; David West Xavier F/C So. 6-8.

        Player of the year: David West, Xavier

        Rookie of the year: Jameer Nelson, St. Joseph's

        Defensive player of the year: Chris Daniels

        Sixth man of the year: Na'im Crenshaw, St. Joseph's

        Coach of the year: Phil Martelli, St. Joseph's

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