TCNJ’s Jocelyn named NJAC Player of the Year
Right from the final tick of the clock on the 2019-20 season, Travis Jocelyn had his sight set on making his senior season at The College of New Jersey one to remember.
Jocelyn held true to his word.
The results were an undefeated regular season in which he led the New Jersey Athletic Conference in scoring with a 20.9 points per game. His 7.1 rebounds were also third best in the conference.
For his outstanding play, Jocelyn was named the NJAC Player of the Year on Wednesday.
It’s the second straight season a TCNJ player has taken home the award as Jocelyn follow’s last year’s winner Randy Walko.
“This award just shows the work I have been putting in since I started playing basketball,” Jocelyn said.
“It’s a little more special because I was able to win it and keep the award in the program for back to back years. Randy and I have worked hard together over these past couple of years and it’s nice to get the recognition that we’ve worked so hard for.”
The Lions also had P.J. Ringel named to the AllNJAC Second team and Danny Bodine receive Honorable Mention.
Former Lawrence High star Myles Mitchell-White was named to the second team from Montclair State.
This is the second straight season Jocelyn has been named to the all-conference first team.
“As a program, we could not be more proud of our captain, Travis Jocelyn, for winning NJAC Player of the Year,” TCNJ coach Matt Goldsmith said. “During this past year, he never wavered from his commitment to our program and his play demonstrated that every time he stepped onto the court. He earned this award through “sweat equity.” Travis has worked for everything he has achieved throughout the past four years and we are so happy for him. Welldeserved.”
It might have been a short season, but the Lions, led by Jocelyn and Ringel, came out of the gate strong and swept series from Stockton, Rutgers-Camden and Kean for the 6-0 regular season.
They final two regular season games against William Paterson were canceled due to a COVID protocols.
TCNJ reached the semifinals of the conference tournament before falling to Stockton. The Ospreys fell to New Jersey City in the final.
While the defeat dampened the Lions’ mood, it doesn’t take away from the accomplishments in a difficult year.
“Even though we didn’t end the season the way we wanted to, I still can look back and be proud of what we had accomplished,” Jocelyn said. “We were given an
amazing opportunity to play the sport we love and I am just happy I was able to go play with my best friends every day and accomplish a lot throughout the season.”
Jocelyn would like to continue playing either in college with the extra year awarded by the NCAA or he’ll look to play professionally somewhere.
One thing is certain, Jocelyn will not be outworked.
“Whenever I work out or
do anything I always push myself to do more,” Jocelyn said. “In our program we talk about being uncommon and to me that’s just pushing myself harder when nobody is watching. Coach told me in the summer that I needed to work harder than what I think the best player in the country working and I have kept that mindset all year. Putting in hours of work consistently is what got me here.”