March 7, 2006

IRVING, Texas - Marshall freshman Markel Humphrey (Ellenwood, Ga.) was named to the Conference USA All-Freshman team by Conference USA coaches and select media Tuesday.

Humphrey joins Memphis freshman standouts Shawne Williams and Chris Douglas-Roberts, Southern Miss swingman Courtney Beasley, and East Carolina guard Sam Hinnant. Williams was named the league's Freshman of the Year.

"Markel quickly stepped into our conference and found ways to help our team win," said Marshall head coach Ron Jirsa. "He had some of his best games against our stronger opponents. This freshman year is hopefully an indicator of beginning a great career for Markel.

Humphrey has made 20 starts in his Marshall career and quickly acclimated his game to the college level. He tallied the Herd's first true freshman double-double against Kennesaw State since 1998-99 (J.R. VanHoose) when he tallied 10 points and 11 rebounds, and against the then-#20/19-ranked George Washington Colonials, he had his second career double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds.

He also saved his best scoring performance against the league's top opponent - he scored a career-best 19 points on 8-of-11 shooting against Memphis.

Humphrey tied for the freshman-best single-game performance in rebounds in 2005-06 when he grabbed a career-best 15 boards at SMU on February 15. He is also the only Herd player to lead Marshall in points, rebounds, blocks, assists, and steals in a game this season.

The freshman from Ellenwood, Ga., joined fellow teammate Mark Patton on the C-USA postseason award list. Patton was named to the All-C-USA third team on Monday.

"It's all about the team, and if it wasn't for my teammates, I wouldn't have made it," said Humphrey. "We are in this together, and they get me the ball and have confidence in me to shoot the open shot. I'm just thankful to have good teammates and good coaches around me."

Other specialty awards were handed out Tuesday by the conference office. UAB senior Carldell "Squeaky" Johnson was awarded Defensive Player of the Year honors and Tulsa senior Anthony Price was selected as the Sixth Man of the Year.

2005-06 ALL-CONFERENCE USA FRESHMAN TEAM Courtney Beasley, Southern Miss, G, 6-3, 220, Fr., Huntsville, Ala. Chris Douglas-Roberts, Memphis, G, 6-5, 180, Fr., Detroit, Mich. Sam Hinnant, East Carolina, G, 6-4, 195, Fr., Charlotte, N.C. Markel Humphrey, Marshall, G, 6-5, 215, Fr., Ellenwood, Ga. Shawne Williams, Memphis, F/G, 6-9, 205, Fr., Memphis, Tenn.

2005-06 FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR Shawne Williams, Memphis, F/G, 6-9, 205, Fr., Memphis, Tenn.

2005-06 DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR Carldell "Squeaky" Johnson, UAB, G, 5-10, 180, Sr., New Orleans, La.

2005-06 SIXTH MAN OF THE YEAR Anthony Price, Tulsa, C, 6-8, 225, Sr., The Woodlands, Texas