HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Northern Kentucky's Sam Vinson has been named the Nike® Horizon League Freshman of the Year and an All-Freshman Team member, and sophomore Marques Warrick has been tabbed for the All-League Second Team, the league announced Monday.
 
Vinson earned seven Horizon League freshman of the week honors during a standout season. That distinction tied four others, including Warrick, for No. 3 in league annals. He's also among five freshmen on the All-Freshman Team, joining Kamari McGee (Green Bay), Cade Meyer (Green Bay), Jace Carter (UIC) and AJ Braun (Wright State).
 
Vinson averages a team-second-tying 11.8 points with 4.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists and league-third 2.0 steals. He has scored in double figures in 19 of his 29 games thus far, with a career high 24 points at UIC Jan. 20. In that game, Vinson also established career bests in field goals made (9) and attempts (18).
 
Vinson's defense has played an integral role for the Norse. He ranks 21st nationally in total steals (59) and 34th in the country in steals per game (2.0). Vinson matched his top rebounding performance (eight boards) in three different times, most recently at Detroit Mercy Feb. 18.
 
He's NKU's second Nike® Horizon League Freshman of the Year in as many years. Warrick claimed the honor in 2021.
 
Warrick this year was named to the All-League Second Team with Torrey Patton (Cleveland State), Jalen Moore (Oakland), Grant Basile (Wright State) and Michael Akuchie (Youngstown State).
 
Warrick leads NKU in scoring with 16 points per game while chipping in 2.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.2 steals. The Lexington, Ky. native has scored in double figures 23 of his 29 games this season and twice scored a career-high 30 points (versus Canisius Dec. 8 and versus Robert Morris Feb. 24).
 
He has averaged 19 points in the NKU's last 12 games.
 
Warrick has tied career highs in field goals made (10) and 3-point attempts (13) this season. He has set new career highs in:

• Rebounds (seven at UIC Jan. 20 and versus Robert Morris Feb. 24)
• Steals (five vs. Alice Lloyd Dec. 12)
• Field goal attempts (22 at DePaul Nov. 26)
• 3-pointers made (seven vs. Robert Morris Feb. 24)
• Free throws made (10 at Robert Morris Jan. 15)
• Free throws attempted (12 at Robert Morris Jan. 15)

The third-seeded Norse begin play this week in the 2022 Keeps Horizon League Men's Basketball Championship. NKU hosts a quarterfinal game at 7 p.m. Thursday at BB&T Arena against the second-highest remaining seed after Tuesday's first-round games.
 
2021-22 #HLMBB All-League Awards
Co-Players of the Year: Antoine Davis, Detroit Mercy & Jamal Cain, Oakland
Coach of the Year: Jon Coffman, Purdue Fort Wayne
Freshman of the Year: Sam Vinson, Northern Kentucky
Defensive Player of the Year: D'Moi Hodge, Cleveland State
Sixth Player of the Year: Deonte Billups, Purdue Fort Wayne
 
All-League First Team (alphabetical by school)
D'Moi Hodge, Cleveland State
Antoine Davis, Detroit Mercy
Jamal Cain, Oakland
Jarred Godfrey, Purdue Fort Wayne
Tanner Holden, Wright State
 
All-League Second Team (alphabetical by school)
Torrey Patton, Cleveland State
Marques Warrick, Northern Kentucky
Jalen Moore, Oakland
Grant Basile, Wright State
Michael Akuchie, Youngstown State
 
All-League Third Team (alphabetical by school)
Tre Gomillion, Cleveland State
Jalon Pipkins, Purdue Fort Wayne
Kahliel Spear, RMU
Damaria Franklin, UIC
Dwayne Cohill, Youngstown State
 
All-Freshman Team (alphabetical by school)
Kamari McGee, Green Bay
Cade Meyer, Green Bay
Sam Vinson, Northern Kentucky
Jace Carter, UIC
AJ Braun, Wright State
 
All-Defensive Team (alphabetical by school)
Tre Gomillion, Cleveland State
D'Moi Hodge, Cleveland State
Deante Johnson, Cleveland State
Micah Parrish, Oakland
Jalon Pipkins, Purdue Fort Wayne