LEXINGTON, Va. – George Mason freshman guard Otis Livingston II has been voted the 2016 Rookie of the Year from the Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID) as announced by the organization Friday. Livingston's recognition was released in conjunction with the VaSID University Division All-State Men's Basketball Team.
“I'm really excited for Otis to earn this award,” commented head coach Dave Paulsen. “While Otis' statistics were excellent, they do not accurately reflect his impact on our team. Otis played with a blend of intensity and exuberance, which inspired his teammates and our passionate fan base.”
Livingston finished his freshman career as the team leader in scoring (381 points), points per game (11.9 ppg), assists (114), steals (23), minutes (1097) and minutes per game (34.3 mpg). The Linden, N.J., native was the only Patriot to start all 32 games and was the leading freshman in the Atlantic 10 in scoring and minutes per game.
A three-time Rookie of the Week selection throughout the season, Livingston set his career-high in scoring with 21 points against Dayton before matching the feat in the final regular season game of the season against Richmond. He recorded 24 games scoring in double-figures and had seven games hitting three or more three-pointers, including making a personal-best five treys against Richmond. Livingston dished out a career-high seven assists against George Washington and recorded 12 games of five or more assists.
A total of nine schools were represented on the teams, led by two nominees apiece from Virginia and Hampton. Virginia's Malcolm Brogdon was voted the Player of the Year, while Cavalier head coach Tony Bennett was tabbed Coach of the Year after taking Virginia to the Elite Eight.
2016 VaSID University Division All-State Men's Basketball Team
Player of the Year: Malcolm Brogdon - Virginia
Coach of the Year: Tony Bennett - Virginia
Rookie of the Year: Otis Livingston II - George Mason
All-State First Team
Malcolm Brogdon - Virginia
Trey Freeman - Old Dominion
Melvin Johnson - VCU
Ron Curry - James Madison
QJ Peterson - Virginia Military Institutue
All-State Second Team
Quinton Chievous - Hampton
Anthony Gill - Virginia
Reginald Johnson, Jr. - Hampton
Omar Prewitt - William & Mary
T.J. Cline - Richmond
