With the cancellation today of the A-10 and NCAA Tournament this final Post Season Prep feature has become a recognition and appreciation feature.
It was a helluva season. I hope Spiders fans enjoyed it as much as I did. Hopefully, the season demonstrated to the University the powerful force a successful basketball team can have to bring students, alumni and the community together.
Jacob Gilyard had a magical season, helping lead the Spiders to one of their best seasons in program history. When the season began Spiders fans knew Gilyard was a star. In the 2018 and 2019 seasons he had to be a big scorer as well as a facilitator from his point guard position. Expectations for Jacob this season were extremely high and he delivered!
With Nick Sherod's return and the arrival of Blake Francis, Jacob could focus on his facilitator's role as point guard. He flourished in this role as distributor passing out 178 assists with just 60 turnovers while averaging a work horse 36 minutes per game. Spiders fans will never forget his magical passing and games with Golden, Cayo, Sherod and Francis. Gilyard could find a cutter, or reverse the ball to the perimeter almost whenever needed.
While Jacob's scoring wasn't as important as in previous seasons, he still averaged a solid 12.7 PPG. When Richmond needed a critical basket he still had a knack for finding a way to deliver it.
If you enjoy video highlights, you will see some of Jake's clutch scoring and magical passing in his own highlights and those of all of his teammates.
The offensive end of the court is just one half of JG's exceptional skills and his magnificent season. Gilyard specialized in theft. He turned in an amazing 99 steals. Spiders fans enjoyed numerous steals which resulted in fast break baskets, broke opponents momentum and frustrated opposing players.
His tremendous defensive play was recognized by the A-10 who named him Defensive Player of the Year and the Naismith group has named him as a semifinalist for national Defensive player of the Year.
Gilyard was also named first team All A-10 for his exceptional season.
Jake also brought winning intangibles to the court and the locker room. He played with confidence, energy and passion. Often Jacob served as a spokesperson for the team.
Congratulations and thanks to Jacob Gilyard for masterfully helping lead the Spiders to this historic season.
Go Spiders!
