Temple University Athletics
Damian Dunn Named Big 5 Co-Rookie of the Year; Joins Khalif Battle on Second Team
5.18.21 | Men's Basketball
PHILADELPHIA – Temple University redshirt freshman guard Damian Dunn has been named the Philadelphia Big 5 Co-Rookie of the Year in voting by the league's coaches and select media. Dunn also joins sophomore guard Khalif Battle on the All-Big 5 Second Team.
Dunn, who was among the nation's leaders in free throws made (6.1) and attempted (7.9) per game, ranked second on the Owls in scoring (13.5 ppg.) and third in assists (29). The Meadowcreek, Ga. native also earned a spot on the American Athletic Conference All-Rookie Team. Dunn shares the Rookie of the Year honor with Jordan Hall of Saint Joseph's.
Battle, a transfer from Butler, made an immediate impact in his first year with Temple. Despite missing the team's first five games due to a hamstring injury, he led the squad in scoring (15.0 ppg) and tied for team honors in rebounding (6.4 rpg). A Third Team All-AAC selection, he also led the Owls in three-pointers per game (2.1) and free throw percentage (40-50, .800).
Other major award winners include Villanova guard Collin Gillespie (Player of the Year), Villanova head coach Jay Wright (Coach of the Year), Saint Joseph's forward Taylor Funk (Most Improved Player) and La Salle's Christian Ray (Scholar-Athlete of the Year).
Below is the full list of award winners.
Philadelphia Big 5 Men's Basketball Award Winners
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Collin Gillespie, Villanova (Senior, Guard)
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Damian Dunn, Temple (Freshman, Guard)
Jordan Hall, Saint Joseph's (Freshman, Guard)
COACH OF THE YEAR
Jay Wright, Villanova
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER
Taylor Funk, Saint Joseph's (Redshirt Junior, Forward)
SCHOLAR-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Christian Ray, La Salle (Sophomore, Guard)
LEADING SCORER
Ryan Daly, Saint Joseph's (Redshirt Senior, Guard) – 18.5 points per game
LEADING FREE THROW SHOOTER
Taylor Funk, Saint Joseph's (Redshirt Junior, Forward) – 83.8 percent (57-of-68)
ALL-BIG 5 FIRST TEAM
Ryan Daly, Saint Joseph's
Taylor Funk, Saint Joseph's
Collin Gillespie, Villanova
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Villanova
Jermaine Samuels, Villanova
ALL-BIG 5 SECOND TEAM
Khalif Battle, Temple
Caleb Daniels, Villanova
Damian Dunn, Temple
Jordan Hall, Saint Joseph's
Sherif Kenney, La Salle
Justin Moore, Villanova
Dunn, who was among the nation's leaders in free throws made (6.1) and attempted (7.9) per game, ranked second on the Owls in scoring (13.5 ppg.) and third in assists (29). The Meadowcreek, Ga. native also earned a spot on the American Athletic Conference All-Rookie Team. Dunn shares the Rookie of the Year honor with Jordan Hall of Saint Joseph's.
Battle, a transfer from Butler, made an immediate impact in his first year with Temple. Despite missing the team's first five games due to a hamstring injury, he led the squad in scoring (15.0 ppg) and tied for team honors in rebounding (6.4 rpg). A Third Team All-AAC selection, he also led the Owls in three-pointers per game (2.1) and free throw percentage (40-50, .800).
Other major award winners include Villanova guard Collin Gillespie (Player of the Year), Villanova head coach Jay Wright (Coach of the Year), Saint Joseph's forward Taylor Funk (Most Improved Player) and La Salle's Christian Ray (Scholar-Athlete of the Year).
Below is the full list of award winners.
Philadelphia Big 5 Men's Basketball Award Winners
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Collin Gillespie, Villanova (Senior, Guard)
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Damian Dunn, Temple (Freshman, Guard)
Jordan Hall, Saint Joseph's (Freshman, Guard)
COACH OF THE YEAR
Jay Wright, Villanova
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER
Taylor Funk, Saint Joseph's (Redshirt Junior, Forward)
SCHOLAR-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Christian Ray, La Salle (Sophomore, Guard)
LEADING SCORER
Ryan Daly, Saint Joseph's (Redshirt Senior, Guard) – 18.5 points per game
LEADING FREE THROW SHOOTER
Taylor Funk, Saint Joseph's (Redshirt Junior, Forward) – 83.8 percent (57-of-68)
ALL-BIG 5 FIRST TEAM
Ryan Daly, Saint Joseph's
Taylor Funk, Saint Joseph's
Collin Gillespie, Villanova
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Villanova
Jermaine Samuels, Villanova
ALL-BIG 5 SECOND TEAM
Khalif Battle, Temple
Caleb Daniels, Villanova
Damian Dunn, Temple
Jordan Hall, Saint Joseph's
Sherif Kenney, La Salle
Justin Moore, Villanova
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's BasketballEp. 18: Men's Basketball Student-Athlete Olin Chamberlain Jr.
Tuesday, November 04
Ep. 17: Brian Thornburg, Executive Senior Associate AD for Development & NIL Strategy
Friday, October 31
Halloween Nights at Eastern State Penitentiary: Allan Haye Mic’d Up
Friday, October 31
Ep.16: Temple Football's Evan Simon
Tuesday, October 28
