Lock Haven Pa. – IUP Men's basketball freshman Kymani Merraro was named the 2025 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West Freshman of the Year along with receiving Second Team All-PSAC honors. Christian Moore was also a Second Team All-PSAC selection, the league announced on Thursday. 

Donald Whitehead Jr. (California,) was named the PSAC West Athlete of the Year and Cenker Evran (Edinboro) was awarded Defensive Player of the Year. Edinboro's head coach Justin Jennings was named the PSAC West Coach of the Year. 

Merraro is the ninth player in program history to receive PSAC West Freshman of the Year. The last IUP player to earn this prestigious accolade was Tomiwa Sulaiman who won the award in 2022. The other freshman/rookie of the year award winners include Ethan Porterfield (2020), Dante Lombardi (2016), Julian Sanders (2009), Darryl Webb (2008), Gerald Brooks (2006), Eddie Peterson (2003), and Jason Bullock (1993). 

Merraro's playmaking abilities has elevated his team around him and his overall high production made him extremely valuable for Lombardi's team, being one of two players to land a spot on the starting lineup for all 30 games this season. He is ranked fourth across the PSAC in assists, recording 135 throughout the season, averaging 4.5 per game. He led the team in assists 20 times this season.

His efficient scoring landed him inside the top 25 in points per game (15.1) which has allowed him to lead his team in scoring nine times, seven of which broke 20 points. Recently, Merraro scored 25 points (8-14 FG) against Slippery Rock to help his team advance to the quarterfinals.  

Both Merraro and Moore are ranked in the top 25 across the PSAC in steals 13th (42) and 10th (43) respectively. 

The transfer from New Hampshire has made an immediate impact on the offensive side of the court for Lombardi's team. Moore's scoring ability made him a suitable candidate for Second Team honors. He is ranked 10th in the PSAC in scoring, averaging 16.8 points per game. He led his team in scoring 15 times, 12 of those were above 20 points. His highest scoring game of the season came against Tiffin where he scored 26 points (8-14 FG). On four occasions, Moore made nine field goals, one of these occasions included seven made three pointers against Ashland on November 17. Moore is also ranked in the top 25 across the PSAC in field goal percentage (.400).  

Moore has also engraved his name into program history in three pointers made in a single season with 80, which puts him at 13th.

IUP concluded the 2024-25 season 14-16 overall and 8-12 in the conference with a trip to the PSAC Quarterfinals.

2024-25 PSAC Men's Basketball Western Division All-Conference and Major Awards

Athlete of the Year: Donald Whitehead Jr., California 
Defensive Player of the Year: Cenker Evran, Edinboro 
Freshman of the Year: Kymani Merraro, IUP 
Coach of the Year: Justin Jennings, Edinboro 

WESTERN DIVISION FIRST TEAM

Player	Institution	Cl.
Cenker Evran	Edinboro	Jr.
Jomo Goings^	Slippery Rock	R-Jr.
Tasman Goodrick	Gannon	So.
Cam Kearney^	Clarion	Jr.
Cam Polak	California	R-Jr.
Ernest Shelton	Gannon	So.
Donald Whitehead Jr.	California	Jr.

WESTERN DIVISION SECOND TEAM

Kedrick Curtis	Seton Hill	So.
Steve Kelly	Edinboro	Gr.
Ryan Meis^	Seton Hill	Gr.
Kymani Merraro	IUP	Fr.
Christian Moore	IUP	Jr.
Pace Prosser	Gannon	Fr.
Ryan Smith	Pitt-Johnstown	Sr.

*Indicates previous First Team All-PSAC selection
^Indicates previous Second Team All-PSAC selection

2024-25 PSAC Men's Basketball Eastern Division All-Conference and Major Awards

Athlete of the Year: Drew Stover, Millersville
Defensive Player of the Year: Cam Young, East Stroudsburg
Freshman of the Year: Evan Morton, East Stroudsburg
Coach of the Year: Damien Blair, West Chester

EASTERN DIVISION FIRST TEAM

Player	Institution	Cl.
Saraj Ali^	Millersville	Jr.
Elijah Allen*	West Chester	Sr.
Davante Dennis	West Chester	Jr.
Markus Frank	Shippensburg	R-So.
Lakeem McAliley^**	East Stroudsburg	R-Sr.
Chase Paar	Shepherd	Sr.
Drew Stover^	Millersville	Sr.
Cam Young	East Stroudsburg	Sr.

*Eight players on First Team due to a tie

EASTERN DIVISION SECOND TEAM

Player	Institution	Cl.
Marcus Banks	Shepherd	So.
Matt Bengel	Bloomsburg	Sr.
Jalen Bryant^	Kutztown	Sr.
Isaiah Stewart	Lock Haven	Sr.
Josh Walker	West Chester	Sr.
Eli Washington	Lock Haven	Gr.

*Indicates previous First Team All-PSAC selection
^Indicates previous Second Team All-PSAC selection

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