Rams' Antonio Hester Named Third-Team All-America

KANSAS CITY, Mo-- The University of Mobile's Antonio Hester was tabbed as a Third-Team All-American Wednesday, when the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics announced the 2011-12 Division I Men's Basketball All-America Teams.

Hester, a junior forward from Miami, Fla., paced the Rams with 15.48 points per game, 8.58 rebounds and 1.48 blocks per contest. The 8.58 rebounds per game breaks Robert Jones' school record, which was set in 2007-08. He led the NAIA with a .668 field goal percentage, was 13th with 3.55 offensive boards per game and 18th with 266 total boards.

“This honor is an indication of the type of season Antonio had here at UM," UMobile Head Coach Joe Niland said. "He was very consistent for us on a high level with his effort, rebounding and scoring throughout the season. I am very happy for him that he received this recognition.”

Hester played in 31 games for the Rams, averaging 27 minutes per contest. He scored in double-figures in 24 of those 31 games, tallying 20+ points on nine occasions. He had season-highs of 31 points against Lee University and 19 rebounds against Auburn-Montgomery. Those 19 rebounds set a new school record for single-game rebounds. He also tied the school mark with six blocks in a game on two occasions, against Belhaven and Tougaloo. His 18 boards against Belhaven also bested the old school mark of 17 rebounds in one game.

He also finished the season with 12 double-doubles.

The selections are made by the NAIA Men's Basketball Coaches' Association of All-America Committee and comprises a First, Second, Third and Honorable Mention Team. There are 10 members on each of the first three teams.