From University of Rochester Athletics
University of Rochester senior guard Sam Borst-Smith has joined an elite group of basketball players with his selection to the 2017 NABC Coaches' Division III All-America Team. The team is selected by members of the National Association of Basketball Coaches.
Borst-Smith was elected to the Third Team. He is the 10th men's basketball player in 116 years to be accorded All-America honors. Those 10 men have accounted for 15 honors.
Since the end of the regular season, Borst-Smith has received eight major honors:
- 2017 University Athletic Association Men's Player of the Year
- 2017 UAA First Team honoree
- 2017 D3hoops.com East Region Player of the Year
- 2017 D3hooops.com East Region First Team
- 2017 ECAC North First Team
- 2017 Reese's College All-Star Game Participant
- 2017 NABC All-East Region First Team
- 2017 NABC Third Team All-American
He led Rochester in scoring (16.3 ppg.) shooting 49.8% from the field (158-317), 41.4% from the three point line (65-157), and 76.5% from the foul line (91-119). He collected 5.5 rebounds a game. Borst-Smith was second in assists (99), third in blocked shots (16), and first in steals (76).
His total of 76 steals is a single-season record, surpassing the mark of 63 established by Terry Fitzgerald in 1982-83.
In his career, he is ranked in the top 10 of nine categories: first in steals (212), sixth in free throws made (343), seventh in points scored (1,497), eighth in three-point field goals attempted (428), eighth in free throws attempted (431), 10th in field goals made (496), 10th in field goals attempted (1,055), 10th in three-point field goals made (162), and 10th in defensive rebounds (401).
Rochester finished the 2016-17 season with a final record of 24-5. The Yellowjackets were 21-4 in the regular season, 10-4 in the UAA. Rochester finished second to Washington University. The teams split the season series with the visiting team winning each game. Rochester was a Pool C (at-large) invitee to the NCAA Division III playoffs.
The Yellowjackets were ranked #1 in the East Region and designated to host a first-and-second round pod of four teams. In the first round, the Yellowjackets defeated Albertus Magnus College of New Haven, CT, 89-66. Borst-Smith had 24 points, five rebounds, five assists, and three steals. In the second round, Rochester defeated Union, 82-60. Borst-Smith had 10 points, three rebounds, three assists, two steals, and two blocked shots.
Rochester advanced to the Sectionals on March 10-11 in what may have been the toughest grouping on paper. It featured the top-ranked team in each of four regions: East (13th-ranked Rochester), Great Lakes (#7 Marietta), South (Hardin-Simmons, among others receiving votes), and West (#1 Whitman).
UR defeated Marietta, 85-80, in the Sectional semifinals. Borst-Smith had 17 points, four rebounds, five assists, and one steal. In the Sectional final against Whitman, the Yellowjackets lost, 91-87. Borst-Smith finished with 20 points, five rebounds, three assists, and one steal.
He was a finalist for the Josten's Trophy, given for a combination of athletic excellent, academic achievement, and community service. He was also on the Watch List for the Clarence "Bevo" Francis Award, presented to the Small College Basketball Player of the Year. He was one of six Division III players on the Watch List. The award covers NCAA Divisions II, III, and the NAIA institutions.