University of Richmond Athletics
Spiders Picked Fourth In A-10 West Division At Men's Basketball Media Day
11/04/2004 | Men's Basketball
Nov. 4, 2004
Click here to listen to Coach Wainwright at Atlantic 10 Media Day
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - University of Richmond sophomore Gaston Moliva was selected to the Atlantic 10 Preseason All-Defensive Team it was announced this afternoon at the conference's annual media day in Philadelphia. The Spiders were picked fourth in the A-10 West Division by the league's head coaches.
The first Richmond player to earn All-Rookie honors, Moliva led the Spiders and ranked fourth in the Atlantic 10 with 1.45 blocked shots per game last winter. The 6-7 forward's 48 blocked shots ranks fifth all-time on Richmond's single-season chart.
The Yaounde, Cameroon native played in all 33 games, starting five, and averaged 5.4 points and 3.9 rebounds. His numbers increased as his rookie campaign progressed, averaging 6.1 points and 4.5 rebounds during the conference season. Moliva posted a career-high 15 points against Saint Joseph's and blocked four shots on three occasions.
Moliva continues Richmond's trend of defensive prowess in the league. Last season, Tony Dobbins became the first player in A-10 history to earn back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year honors. The Spiders led the conference in scoring defense in 2003-04 and ranked second in 2002-03.
Third-year head coach Jerry Wainwright returns two starters and seven letterwinners from last year's 20-13 squad that finished third in the A-10 West, the second consecutive year they finished in that position. Richmond earned an at-large berth to the NCAA where they lost in the first round to Wisconsin.
The Spiders host Francis Marion at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 5 before opening the 2004-05 season at Seton Hall at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 19. The home opener tips at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 26 against Elon.
