University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Drew Pember Named Big South Conference Male Athlete of the Year
07.20.2023 | Men's Basketball
BIG SOUTH RELEASE
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – UNC Asheville men's basketball player Drew Pember has been voted the Big South Conference Howard Bagwell Male Athlete of the Year for the 2022-23 season. The candidates for the annual award consist of the Players of the Year from each sport and must be deemed eligible for the honor by their respective school. The candidates are then voted on by the league's Athletic Directors, Senior Woman Administrators and Sports Information Directors. Pember is the first Bulldog to earn the Male Athlete of the Year award from the Big South and becomes just the second UNC Asheville student-athlete to earn the Conference's Athlete of the Year honor joining Natalie Pearson (track & field – 2010-11).
In March 2000, the Big South Conference Executive Committee voted to create an annual Male and Female Student-Athlete of the Year award, and named the male award in honor of former Charleston Southern Athletic Director Howard Bagwell, who was one of the founders of the Big South Conference and an inaugural inductee into the league's Hall of Fame. The Athlete of the Year awards have been presented annually since 1999-00.
Drew Pember had one of the best seasons in UNC Asheville history in 2022-23, beginning the season as the Big South Preseason Player of the Year. Throughout the season, Pember was named the Big South Player of the Week five times. He recorded two 40-plus point outings with 40 points in the season opener at UCF on Nov. 7 and a school record 48 points versus Presbyterian on Jan. 25. His 48 points were the most by a Division I player this season. Pember is the first Big South player to lead the league in scoring (20.9 PPG), rebounding (9.1 RPG) and blocks (80) in a season. The Knoxville, Tenn. native also led the country in free throws made (266) & attempted (318). After his stellar season, Pember was named a finalist for both the Lute Olson (Top Player in Division I) and Lou Henson (Top Player in Mid-Majors) National Player of the Year awards.
"This award speaks to the year that Drew had on the court and what a special season it was for both he and our program," said UNC Asheville head coach Mike Morrell. "That being said, I'm most proud of the person that Drew is off the floor and how he makes those around him better each day. We are extremely proud of Drew and all of his accomplishments."
After the regular season, Pember was named both the Big South's Player and Defensive Player of the Year and played a key role in Asheville's conference championship run that led to him being named the Tournament MVP. During the run to the tournament championship, Pember set a Big South Tournament record for both free throws made and attempted in a single quarterfinal game, going 22-24 from the stripe against Charleston Southern. His 22 free throws made also set a record for most made in a Big South tournament game. He is the first player in Big South history to earn all four awards in the same season while also repeating as the Big South Conference's Defensive Player of the Year and also being named UNC Asheville's Male Athlete of the Year. In addition, Pember has helped Asheville to two postseason appearances in his two seasons, helping Asheville to a postseason victory in the College Basketball Invitational in 2022-23. To cap off his list of accolades, Pember was also named to the 2023 Lou Henson All-America Team. Pember will return for Asheville in 2023-24.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – UNC Asheville men's basketball player Drew Pember has been voted the Big South Conference Howard Bagwell Male Athlete of the Year for the 2022-23 season. The candidates for the annual award consist of the Players of the Year from each sport and must be deemed eligible for the honor by their respective school. The candidates are then voted on by the league's Athletic Directors, Senior Woman Administrators and Sports Information Directors. Pember is the first Bulldog to earn the Male Athlete of the Year award from the Big South and becomes just the second UNC Asheville student-athlete to earn the Conference's Athlete of the Year honor joining Natalie Pearson (track & field – 2010-11).
In March 2000, the Big South Conference Executive Committee voted to create an annual Male and Female Student-Athlete of the Year award, and named the male award in honor of former Charleston Southern Athletic Director Howard Bagwell, who was one of the founders of the Big South Conference and an inaugural inductee into the league's Hall of Fame. The Athlete of the Year awards have been presented annually since 1999-00.
Drew Pember had one of the best seasons in UNC Asheville history in 2022-23, beginning the season as the Big South Preseason Player of the Year. Throughout the season, Pember was named the Big South Player of the Week five times. He recorded two 40-plus point outings with 40 points in the season opener at UCF on Nov. 7 and a school record 48 points versus Presbyterian on Jan. 25. His 48 points were the most by a Division I player this season. Pember is the first Big South player to lead the league in scoring (20.9 PPG), rebounding (9.1 RPG) and blocks (80) in a season. The Knoxville, Tenn. native also led the country in free throws made (266) & attempted (318). After his stellar season, Pember was named a finalist for both the Lute Olson (Top Player in Division I) and Lou Henson (Top Player in Mid-Majors) National Player of the Year awards.
"This award speaks to the year that Drew had on the court and what a special season it was for both he and our program," said UNC Asheville head coach Mike Morrell. "That being said, I'm most proud of the person that Drew is off the floor and how he makes those around him better each day. We are extremely proud of Drew and all of his accomplishments."
After the regular season, Pember was named both the Big South's Player and Defensive Player of the Year and played a key role in Asheville's conference championship run that led to him being named the Tournament MVP. During the run to the tournament championship, Pember set a Big South Tournament record for both free throws made and attempted in a single quarterfinal game, going 22-24 from the stripe against Charleston Southern. His 22 free throws made also set a record for most made in a Big South tournament game. He is the first player in Big South history to earn all four awards in the same season while also repeating as the Big South Conference's Defensive Player of the Year and also being named UNC Asheville's Male Athlete of the Year. In addition, Pember has helped Asheville to two postseason appearances in his two seasons, helping Asheville to a postseason victory in the College Basketball Invitational in 2022-23. To cap off his list of accolades, Pember was also named to the 2023 Lou Henson All-America Team. Pember will return for Asheville in 2023-24.
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