April 2, 2009

Center Valley, Pa. - American senior guard Derrick Mercer capped an outstanding season and career by being named as an honorable mention selection to the Associated Press Men's Basketball All-America team earlier this week.

Mercer helped lead the Eagles to the Patriot League regular-season and Tournament titles for the second year in a row. He earned Patriot League Player of the Year honors and averaged 11.7 points and 4.4 assists for the season as the Eagles finished 24-8 overall and 13-1 in regular-season League play. Mercer was also named a First-Team All-League selection and made the Patriot League All-Tournament Team.

Mercer became just the fifth Patriot League men's basketball student-athlete to garner Patriot League Player and Rookie of the Year honors in his career. He picked up the Rookie award as a freshman in 2006. He closes his career as one of the most decorated players in League annals, becoming the first to surpass 1,200 points and 500 assists in a career. Mercer concluded his career with 1,285 points and in third place in the League record book with 524 assists.

American made the NCAA Tournament for the second straight year. The Eagles earned a No. 14 seed in the East Region, and fell in the first round to No. 3 seed and Final Four participant Villanova, 80-67.