The University of South Florida men’s basketball team announced its award winners for the 2005-06 campaign at the program’s annual banquet, hosted by the Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club Tuesday night.

Senior Solomon Jones made four trips to the podium to be recognized and classmate James Holmes was also a multiple honoree at the event.  Juniors Melvin Buckley and Chris Capko also garnered accolades during the presentation.

Jones claimed the John & Cynthia Ruzic Most Valuable Player Award and was also named USF’s Defensive Player of the Year.  The Honorable Mention All-BIG EAST selection earned the USF Chairman of the Boards Award thanks to his team-best rebound average of 9.8.  Jones concluded the season with 13 double-doubles and finished ranked among the nation’s elite in blocks (3.1 bpg.).

Jones was also awarded the Richard K. & Roslyn K. Wittcoff Endowed Scholarship.

Holmes was named USF’s Most Improved Player after finishing among the league leaders in scoring and 3-pointers made.  Holmes’ per game scoring improvement (10.6 ppg.) from last season was the largest of any player in the BIG EAST.  He reached double figures in scoring in 25 of 29 games and knocked down 68 treys on the year.

Holmes also earned the Wittcoff Family Endowed Scholarship.  The endowments the Wittcoff’s have provided will permanently represent the University’s competitive spirit and commitment to excellence in NCAA Division I basketball.

Junior Melvin Buckley captured the Academic Award.  Buckley posted a grade-point-average of 3.53 this fall in creative writing and recently represented USF at the national convention as a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

Junior Chris Capko garnered the Bill Jones Scholarship Award, given to the player that best exemplifies the qualities of Bill Jones.  Jones was a donor and a season ticket holder for men’s basketball who lost a courageous battle with cancer.   His qualities included leadership, determination, a fighting spirit, courage and passion.

Walk-on Eddie Lovett received the Bull Pride Award, which recognizes the player who best exemplifies the responsibilities associated with being a student-athlete at USF, both on and off the court.

University of South Florida men’s basketball senior Solomon Jones has been named Honorable Mention All-BIG EAST, the league office announced Monday morning.

“We are extremely happy Solomon was chosen to the honorable mention team,” head coach Robert McCullum said. “We were hopeful he would make the first or second team, but obviously recognize the large number of outstanding players in the league.”

Jones averaged 13.2 points, 9.8 rebounds and 3.1 blocks per game, starting each of the team’s 29 games on the year. He is ranked among the league leaders in rebounding, blocks, free throw percentage, offensive rebounds and defensive rebounds. He concluded the campaign with 13 double-doubles, the second-best total among all BIG EAST players.

The Mount Dora, Fla., native netted a personal-best 23 points and grabbed nine rebounds in USF’s 63-56 victory over No .20 Georgetown Saturday night.

Jones concluded his career ranked among the program leaders in blocks (4th, 154) and his single-season marks for rebounding average (9.8) and blocks (90) rank eighth and second, respectively.

“Solomon began preparing for this season immediately following the conclusion of 2004-05 and we are happy to see his preparation and sacrifice be recognized by the head coaches,” McCullum said.

With the increased membership of the BIG EAST to 16 teams, the all-league teams have been expanded. Eleven players made the All-BIG EAST First Team. On March 7, one of those players will be named BIG EAST Player of the Year when the league announces its individual award winners at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York City at 5 p.m. EST.