BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – WKU Hilltopper Basketball junior center Charles Bassey was named an Associated Press All-America Honorable Mention on Tuesday, the program’s first since Orlando Mendez-Valdez in 2009.
 
Since its first AP All-American Honorable Mention in 1948, WKU has had 27 AP All-American selections, including Bassey: three First Team honorees, one Second Team, and 22 Honorable Mention.
 
This is Bassey’s first All-America award of the season, but the Lagos, Nigeria, native is no stranger to national recognition. He’s been named to the Wooden Award National Ballot for National Player of the Year and All-American consideration. He’s also a Naismith Defensive Player of the Year semifinalist and one of five Kareem Abdul Jabbar Center of the Year finalists.
 
The center is second nationally in dunks (63) and double-doubles (16). He is fourth in blocks per game (3.2) and sixth in rebounds per game (11.5). He is currently shooting 60.2% from the field and scoring 17.7 points per contest.
 
Against West Virginia, Louisville, Alabama and Memphis, Bassey averaged 19 points, 12.3 rebounds and 3.8 blocks.
 
On Tuesday morning, the USBWA and NABC both named Bassey to their All-District Teams.

COURTESY WESTERN KENTUCKY ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS