Two Jags, one Pacer receive 'great honor'

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. --- After answering his phone Tuesday morning, Augusta State senior Garret Siler received congratulations from his mother, Sheila.

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Michael Holahan/Staff

Augusta State's Ben Madgen (top) and Garret Siler were named to the Daktronics and NABC Division II All-American teams, respectively. USC Aiken's Chris Commons was also honored.

"About what?" the younger Siler asked.

The center was one of 16 players named to the State Farm National Association of Basketball Coaches All-American team. Joining Siler on the team is USC Aiken senior forward Chris Commons, who also was named to the Daktronics All-America third team.

Siler leads the nation in field goal percentage at 80 percent. He also averages 16.4 points and 7.5 boards a game.

Teammate Ben Madgen also earned All-American honors, named to the third team by Daktronics. The junior guard owns a team-best 19.1 scoring average and was named Southeast Region Player of the Year.

With the news, Siler and Madgen each shared a high five in the team's hotel.

"We're both each glad to get the honor," Siler said. "But we're not much into individual honors. We've got business to take care of Wednesday."

"It's a great honor for both those guys," Augusta State coach Dip Metres said. "They're both well deserving of it. I'm happy for them, but I'm sure they'd much rather win on Wednesday."

Augusta State will face Christian Brothers at noon today in the Elite Eight opener. The Buccaneers feature senior center Nick Kohs, who was named All-American by State Farm and was named first-team All-American by Daktronics.