For the first time in program history, Liberty has had a player named conference player of the year for a second time in their career as Darius McGhee has earned the honor from the ASUN. McGhee has been named the ASUN Player of the Year, the league announced Tuesday. He is the first player to win the award in consecutive seasons since North Florida’s Dallas Moore did so in 2016-17.
McGhee was named to the All-ASUN first team while Liberty junior forward Kyle Rode was also named to the ASUN’s second team all-conference, spotlighting the Flames’ postseason awards. The Flames have now had a player win ASUN Player of the Year three straight seasons, as Caleb Homesley earned the honor in 2020.
McGhee is the top scorer in the conference and ranks among the national scoring leaders. He’s currently averaging 24.7 points per game to go along with 4.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists each contest. McGhee is shooting 46.0% from the field and 40.1% from three. He’s reached No. 5 on Liberty’s career scoring list while having three 40+ scoring nights this season. He’s also set the record for most three-pointers made in a single season and career at Liberty. He is currently on pace to be the first Liberty player to average 20+ points per game in a single season since Seth Curry averaged 20.2 points per game during the 2008-09 campaign. At 24.7 ppg, McGhee is on pace to have the highest scoring average in a season by any Liberty player since Bailey Alston averaged 27.0 in 1987-88.
Rode averaged 9.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game this season with his numbers increasing greatly when the calendar turned to conference play. He shot 48.5% from the field and 45.5% from three-point range while serving as a coach on the court for the Flames.
McGhee and Rode helped lead the Flames to a 6th straight 20-win season. Liberty will compete this week with hopes of winning a 4th straight ASUN Tournament title and get back to the NCAA Tournament.
McGhee was joined on the first team by FGCU’s Tavian Dunn-Martin, Jacksonville State’s Darian Adams, Jacksonville’s Kevion Nolan, and Lipscomb’s Ahsan Asadullah. McGhee and Adams were unanimous selections.
Joining Rode on the second team were Bellarmine’s Dylan Penn and CJ Fleming, FGCU’s Kevin Samuel, and Stetson’s Chase Johnston.
FGCU’s Kevin Samuel was named the Defensive Player of the Year and Tavian Dunn-Martin was named the Newcomer of the Year. Central Arkansas’ Camren Hunter was named the Freshman of the Year, and Jacksonville State’s Ray Harper was named the Coach of the Year.
Joining Hunter on the ASUN’s All-Freshmen Team were North Alabama’s Daniel Ortiz, Bellarmine’s Curt Hopf, Lipscomb’s Trae Benham, and Stetson’s Alvin Tumblin.
The Flames return to action Thursday night at 7 p.m. in the ASUN Tournament quarterfinals. The Flames have a first round bye and will meet the winner of North Florida-Lipscomb who meet Tuesday night.
