JAMES E. BEST '88

Basketball

One of the premier basketball players in the College's history, JIM BEST was a two-time N.A.B.C. all-American selection (1986-87, 87-88), a two-time winner of the prestigious Andrew Laska Award (1987, 88), a two-time team Most Valuable Player (1987, 88) and a former Northeast-10 Conference Player-of-the-Year (1986 87).

He left as the fourth-leading scorer (1,620 points) and seventh-leading rebounder (852) in Greyhounds' history. Best was named N.A.B.C. all-District I, all E.C.A.C. North, all-New England first team twice. He was the Northeast-10 Conference Player-of-the-Year following the 1986-87 season after averaging 21.9 points, 10.6 rebounds and shooting .609 from the field. He was cited as an N.A.B.C. honorable mention all-America.

As a senior, he averaged 19.9 points and 9.6 rebounds and shot over .600 (.603) for the second straight year from the floor. He was named to the Northeast 10 honor roll nine times and the E.C.A.C. honor roll seven times. He was named an N.A.B.C. second-team all-American.

He is merely one of four players to score 600 points twice, joining Hall of Famers John Grochowalski '75, David Hankins '81 and Drew Adderly '92. He is one of four to have two 300-rebound seasons and only the fourth to lead in scoring and rebounding in back-to-back seasons. Best returned as an assistant coach under Joe Esposito during the 1994-95 season.

He currently resides in Worcester and is a field representative for KangaROO Crossing in Worcester.