South Dakota’s Forte, SDSU’s Cluff Named First-Team Summit League

Both the South Dakota Coyotes and South Dakota State Jackrabbit Men's programs believe themselves to be good enough to seize the Summit League Tournament crown this week in Sioux Falls.

Both programs are guided by some serious star power as well as impressive depth, and the Summit League announced its all-conference honorees on Tuesday.

USD's Chase Forte as well as SDSU's Oscar Cluff were both named first team all-conference picks.

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Per TheSummitLeague.org:

Cluff averaged 17.6 ppg in league play and led all Summit players in rebounding, grabbing 13.0 rpg. He recorded 11 of his national-leading 21 double-doubles in Summit competition, including posting a 20-15 game on six different occasions. He opened league play with a 30-point, 19-rebound effort in a win over Denver.

Forte did it on both ends of the court for the Coyotes during his first season in Vermillion, averaging 19.4 ppg to go with 5.3 rpg and 2.0 spg from his guard position. The Northwestern State transfer had multiple steals in 10 Summit tilts, including matching his season-high of four on two different occasions.

Here's the complete list of honorees for Summit League Men's hoops this season:

2024-25 Summit League Men's Basketball Awards
First Team
Miles Barnstable, St. Thomas (Jr., G)
Oscar Cluff, South Dakota State (Sr., C)
Chase Forte, South Dakota (Sr., G)
Jacksen Moni, North Dakota State (Sr., F)
Marquel Sutton, Omaha (Sr., F)^
JJ White, Omaha (Sr., G) 

 

Second Team
Jamar Brown, Kansas City (Sr., G)*
Drake Dobbs, St. Thomas (Sr., G)
Treysen Eaglestaff, North Dakota (Jr., G)
Issac McBride, Oral Roberts (Gr., G)***
Jacari White, North Dakota State (Sr., G) 

 

Honorable Mention
Isaac Bruns, South Dakota (So., G)
Dre Bullock, South Dakota (Sr., G)
Kalen Garry, South Dakota State (So., G)
Masen Miller, North Dakota State (Sr., G)
Mier Panoam, North Dakota (So., G)

^Player of the year automatically earns a spot on the first team
*previous all-league selections noted above

 

All-Defensive Team
Oscar Cluff, South Dakota State (Sr., C)
Drake Dobbs, St. Thomas (Sr., G)
Chase Forte, South Dakota (Sr., G)
Eli King, North Dakota (Jr., G)
Ja'Sean Glover, Omaha (Jr., G)

 

All-Newcomer Team
Sebastian Akins, Denver (Fr., G)
Miles Barnstable, St. Thomas (Jr., G)
Oscar Cluff, South Dakota State (Sr., C)
Chase Forte, South Dakota (Sr., G)
Jacksen Moni, North Dakota State (Sr., F)

 

Player of the Year
Marquel Sutton, Omaha 

 

Defensive Player of the Year
Chase Forte, South Dakota 

 

Sixth Man of the Year
Tajavis Miller, North Dakota State 

 

Freshman of the Year
Sebastian Akins, Denver 

 

Newcomer of the Year
Oscar Cluff, South Dakota State 

 

Coach of the Year
Chris Crutchfield, Omaha

The Summit League Men's and Women's Basketball Tournaments begin on Wednesday in Sioux Falls at the Denny Sanford Premier Center and run through Sunday. Visit the official site to check out the brackets, schedules, and get your tickets today!

Source: The Summit League