NEC Basketball: Ranking of 25 best players from last decade (2013-23)

19. Eral Penn

A 6’7 wing from Brooklyn, Penn found most of his collegiate success at LIU, spending five years with the Blackbirds and Sharks in the NEC. Penn was actually just a minor contributor in his first two seasons before missing his third year due to injury. It was his final two seasons, the first two years after the start of the pandemic, that really made him standout with the Sharks.

He started just eight games in his first two seasons and averaged just 6.1 points a game as a sophomore, though he did play in the NCAA Tournament as a freshman. His numbers were far more impressive after returning from injury. As a redshirt junior, he averaged 15.9 points and 10.4 rebounds per game and had a 20-rebound effort against Fairleigh Dickinson. His numbers were nearly as impressive as a senior, and included a 37-point effort against those same Knights in his final home game at LIU.

Averaging a double-double as a junior was truly impressive, even in the pandemic-altered schedule, and Penn was named First Team All-NEC in each of those last two seasons. He became the NEC’s top rebounder and one of its best scorers and shot blockers while playing an enhanced role in LIU’s frontcourt. He’d actually transfer to DePaul for this past season, his final collegiate campaign, but he clearly had his best days in those last years in Long Island.