Kraft Named to January 27th Centennial Conference Men's Basketball Honor Roll

by Sports Information
1/30/02

LANCASTER, PA - Franklin & Marshall College forward Alex Kraft (Sr., Lansdale, PA/Lansdale Catholic) has been named to the Centennial Conference Men's Basketball Honor roll for the week of January 21-27.

The honor marks the second time this year the Conference has honored the two-time All-American on its weekly honor roll as he was recognized on December 3 for averaging 16.5 points, including a 20 point effort at Muhlenberg College in a 66-63 win.

Last week, Kraft tallied two double-doubles with 13 points and 10 boards versus Hopkins in a 68-61 loss, and 14 points and 12 rebounds against Washington in an 80-71 win in the Mayser Center.

For the year, he is averaging 12 points and 6.8 rebounds per game, 0.1 boards behind team leader Steve Juskin (So., East Hanover, NJ/Hanover Park).

Through 19 games, he ranks 17th in the Conference in scoring, 0.5 points ahead of 18th place and teammate Larry Fain (Sr., Crum Lynne, PA/Chester). In rebounding, F&M controls the seven through nine positions on the Centennial Conference statistical leader board as Juskin, Kraft and Cas Thomas (Sr., Langhorne, PA/Neshaminy), who is averaging 6.7 boards.

The 2000 and 2001 Centennial Conference Player of the Year, Kraft is quickly moving up the College's leader board with 1,497 points, five shy of surpassing Jeremiah Henry '96 for fourth all-time at the College. Further, he now has 655 rebounds, two short of moving past Ed Plakans '93 and into 7th on the all-time rebounding list at Franklin & Marshall.

Historically, he is the fifth F&M player to rank in the top ten in both major categories, joining Chris Finch '92 (1,287 points, 638 rebounds), Phil Hoeker '89 (1,333 points, 661 rebounds), Dennis Westley '81 (1,357 points, 669 rebounds) and Terry Scott '88 (1,663 points, 964 rebounds).

He has a chance to become the first player in school history to be named a three-time All-American, as seven other F&M players - Charlie Detz '96, Finch, Jeremiah Henry '97, Dave Jannetta '95, Will Lasky '92, Mike Mehaffey and Donnie Marsh - were honored twice.

In addition, he can become the first Diplomat since Marsh was named the Middle Atlantic Conference Player of the Year in 1976, 1977 and 1979 to earn a conference's highest honor three times. In the Centennial Conference, he is now tied with Jannetta for the most Player of the Year nods as the forward has garnered the award twice.

Franklin & Marshall (15-4, 5-2 CC) will look for its 16th win of the year when the Diplomats travel to Western Maryland College for a Centennial Conference game on Wednesday. Opening tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.