MVC Basketball: 2022-23 midseason all-conference team selections

MVC Basketball All-3rd Team

D.J. Burns – Murray State – Forward

As one of two returning Racers from last year’s 31-win team, Burns has been called the ‘heart and soul’ of this year’s team. The 6’7 forward is the Valley’s second-leading rebounder (8.1 per game) and is the top man on the offensive glass (3.3). Burns averages 9.8 points per game and is making .611 of his field goal attempts. His emotional energy boosts the team and the CFSB Center crowds.

Jace Carter – UIC – Guard

Carter is Illinois-Chicago’s (8-5, 0-2) best players and his game is extremely diverse. He is a shutdown defender and ranks among the league leaders in steals. Carter scores (16.2 ppg) at a high level and shoots a highly efficient .493 and is one of the Valley’s top backcourt rebounders (5.7). Carter is one of eight MVC players to log over 33 minutes per game.

Kobe King – Valparaiso – Guard

The other half of Valpo’s “K-Squared Offense”, King is right behind teammate Ben Krikke in the league scoring race (18.3 to 17.6). While neither hunts for threes, King is completing .375 from long distance. King and Krikke are the masters of the midrange game, and King forces the issue by drawing numerous fouls and then completing the charity tosses (.780). Krikke and King combine to play over 69 minutes per game.

Malvey Leons – Bradley – Forward

Malevy Leons and UNI’s Tytan Anderson are neck and neck in the running for the Valley’s most improved player. Leons is a threat on all 94 feet of the floor. The Bradley (9-4, 2-0) forward is part of the Braves’ ‘Double-Dutch’ front court. He and teammate Rienk Mast are both from the Netherlands and star in Peoria, Illinois. Leons carried the Bradley offense while Mast was out, but his scoring has logically dropped with Mast’s return. He carries a solid (11.3 ppg) scoring average, but it’s the rest of his game that sets him apart. The 6’9 forward leads the league in steals and blocked shots and is eighth in rebounding (6.1). You can’t foul Leons (.814 from the line) and you can’t leave him alone on the perimeter (.409 from deep).

Rienk Mast – Bradley – Forward

Mast has only played seven games due to a preseason knee injury. If he stays healthy, he is a contender for the league’s player of the year award. He makes that much difference to Bradley’s attack. He is a physical inside presence and leads the team with 13.9 points per game and is grabbing 8.6 rebounds per game. He is virtually unstoppable with the ball in the block (.603 from the field) and is a legitimate threat from deep (.357). His block numbers will go up as the season wears on.

These honors will likely adjust by the time the season ends, but these are your Missouri Valley Conference mid-season all-conference players.