Valpo MBB’s Fernandez Named National Defensive Player of the Year

Valpo MBB’s Fernandez Named National Defensive Player of the Year

Valparaiso Basketball is not done collecting hardware from their historic season just yet, as it was announced this afternoon that Valpo’s Vashil Fernandez has been named the 2016 Lefty Dreisell National Defensive Player of the Year.

The Senior finished out his career as a Crusader this year with 119 blocks, which led the nation and also set the Horizon League mark for most in a single season. His presence in the paint led the Crusaders to the 9th best scoring defense in the country, holding opponents to just under 63 points per game this season.

Fernandez averaged 3.3 blocks per game this year, recording 5-or-more in twelve separate contests and tying his record of 8 in the opening round of the National Invitation Tournament.

Fernandez leaves Valpo with 289 career blocks, a school record.