Courtesy of Coppin State Athletic Communications


BOSTON, Mass. – Coppin State's Anthony Tarke has been named one of 30 finalists for the Lou Henson National Player of the Year Award, presented to the top mid-major player in the nation, it was announced by collegeinsider.com on Thursday afternoon.

Tarke was also named to the 2020-21 Lou Henson All-America Team.
 
A redshirt senior from Gaithersburg, Md., Tarke was named the MEAC Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year after leading the Eagles in virtually every category. Tarke averaged 16.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.6 steals and 1.9 blocks while shooting 47.3% from the floor, guiding Coppin to its first MEAC regular-season title since the 2003-04 season.
 
Through the regular season, Tarke led the MEAC in total points, rebounds, double-doubles, defensive rebounds, blocks, steals and free throws made. Tarke was also named to the Lefty Driesell Defensive All-America Team, and is a finalist for the Lefty Driesell Award, given annually to the top defensive player in Division I basketball.
 
One of the most complete players in the Country, Tarke is the only player in the Nation to average at least 16 points, eight rebounds, three steals and two steals per game this season. Only 10 players since the 1992-93 season have accomplished such a feat, including four-time NBA All-Star and current University of Memphis head coach Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway.
 
Tarke scored in double figures in 20 of 22 games this season, reaching at least 20 points six times and a pair of 30-plus point games.  In a win over eventual Southern Conference Champion UNC Greensboro, Tarke finished with a career-high 34 points on 11-of-13 shooting while adding ten rebounds, eight assists, four blocks and four steals. This was the first time since the 2010-11 season that a player had recorded such a stat line. Tarke also had the Nation's only 5-by-5 game when he recorded 13 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists, six steals and five blocks in a win over Delaware State.
 
In the regular-season finale at Delaware State, Tarke made all 11 of his shot attempts, setting a program record, for 31 points and dished out another eight assists.
 
To view the full press release from collegeinsider.com, click here.