Former Texas State men’s basketball player Nijal Pearson was named the 2019-20 Sun Belt Male Student-Athlete of the Year the Sun Belt announced Oct. 28.
“First thing I want to say is that I am blessed and grateful to receive this award and to receive it on a date that marks 10 years ago where my brother passed away,” Pearson said in a press release. “For this to top off my career at Texas State is a great achievement to go out with.”
Pearson finished his collegiate career as one of the most accomplished athletes in Bobcats’ history. His accolades include: All-time leading scorer (2,122), 2019-20 Lou Henson All-America Team and now 2020 Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year.
Pearson ranks first in games played and started (133), first in total minutes (4,437), sixth in minutes per game (33.4), tenth in career scoring average (16.0 ppg), ninth in rebounds (739), sixth in assists (232) and third in steals (177).
The Beaumont, Texas, native was a part of three 20-win seasons and scored over 500 points in three consecutive seasons, including 601 points his senior season. He is only the fifth Bobcat to hit 600 points in a season.
Pearson currently plays for Chorale Roanne in the French Pro A, the top tier of French basketball.