The National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) announced today the 2021-22 NABC Division I All-District teams and coaches, as selected by NABC-member head coaches. Arkansas State men’s basketball second-year freshman Norchad Omier was named to the District 23 First Team as part of the announcement.
The Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year and Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Year, Omier is the first A-State player to earn NABC First Team All-District honors since Ty Cockfield following the 2018-19 season. He is the 10th NABC First Team All-District honoree in program history and just the fourth since 1999-2000.
Omier finished the season averaging 17.9 points and 12.2 rebounds while logging 57 blocks and 46 steals. He shot .632 from the field and .729 at the free throw line averaging 28.9 minutes. Averaging 17.9 points while shooting 63 percent from the field, Omier became the first player in league history to average at least 15 points and shoot better than 63 percent. In league play, Omier became the first player in SBC history to average 19 or more points (19.1) and 13 or more rebounds (13.3). Among all SBC player in league-only games, Omier ranked second in scoring (19.1), first in rebounding (13.3), first in field-goal percentage (.634), fifth in steals (1.7) and third in blocks (2.0).
Finishing the season with 20 double-doubles in 28 games played, Omier is among seven Division I players with 20 or more double-doubles in 2021-22. He had 14 of his 20 double-doubles against Sun Belt Conference foes, 12 of which came in 15 league games. Nationally this season, Omier ranks second in offensive rebounds per game (4.00), fourth in rebounds per game (12.2), sixth in double-doubles (20), sixth in defensive rebounds per game (8.17), sixth in total rebounds (353) and eighth in field-goal percentage (.632).
A two-way standout on the floor, Omier was the only Sun Belt player in league-only games ranked top-five in rebounds (1st), blocks (3rd) and steals (5th). He is among 10 Sun Belt players ever to have 50 or more blocks and 40 or more steals in a single-season, first since 2010-11.
In two seasons played (52 games), Omier has totaled 809 points (15.6) and 635 rebounds (12.2) while shooting .594 from the floor. With 635 rebounds, Omier ranks 14th among the A-State career leaders and his 12.2 rebounds per game ranks second behind John Belcher (12.4). He is among 15 players in program history with 800 or more points and 600 or more rebounds, but the only one of the 15 to do so in just two seasons played.
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NABC All-District 23
First Team
David Azore – UT Arlington
Jordan Brown – Louisiana
Adrian Delph – Appalachian State
Charles Manning Jr. – South Alabama
Norchad Omier – Arkansas State
Second Team
Caleb Asberry – Texas State
Jay Jay Chandler – South Alabama
Vince Cole – Coastal Carolina
Essam Mostafa – Coastal Carolina
Efe Odigie – Troy
Coach of the Year: Terrance Johnson – Texas State
