VINCENNES, Ind. – Honors and recognitions came in big time for the 2024 Region 24 and Central District Champion Vincennes University men's basketball team, with VU sophomores Michael Osei-Bonsu (Bolingbrook, Ill.), Kris King (Washington, D.C.) and freshman Lebron Thomas (Bishopville, S.C.) earning All-Region 24 honors.
The first Trailblazer recognized was VU leading scorer Lebron Thomas, who led the Trailblazers by averaging 16.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game.
Thomas got off to a great start to the season with 20 points, nine assist and seven rebounds in the Trailblazers win over Monroe College in November.
Thomas's best game of the season came in a win over Olney Central, when Thomas recorded his only double-double of the season with a career-high 31 points and 10 rebounds.
Thomas has scored in double figures in 27 of VU's 33 games this season, while also leading the Trailblazers in three-point makes and free throws made this season.
"It means a lot to me," Thomas said. "After not playing last year and earning this was just one step closer to what I have been working on."
"My favorite memory at VU was probably when we went to Moberly in Missouri and got to practice at Mizzou," Thomas added. "Stuff like that was a really cool experience for me."
"My experience at Vincennes University has been different than what I thought completely," Thomas said. "From the coaching, I didn't really expect a lot of things we do, like the way we pass the ball and getting in rhythm of a shot or even what we wear on and off the court. But I am grateful for it and the position I am in to be a part of it."
The next Trailblazer honored was 2024 Region 24 tournament MVP and now two-time All-Region 24 honoree Michael Osei-Bonsu, who nearly averaged a double-double this season with 12.3 points and 9.7 rebounds per game.
Osei-Bonsu is currently third in the Nation in offensive rebounds per game, averaging 4.6 offensive rebounds per game this season.
Osei-Bonsu has scored in double figures 21 times this season, with 11 times coming in double-doubles.
Osei-Bonsu's best game this season came in the Region 24 Semi-finals when Michael set a career high with 33 points and 15 rebounds in VU's win over John A. Logan College.
"It means so much to be selected a second time as a member of the All-Region 24 team," Osei-Bonsu said. "It helps me feel so motivated and determined to play at the best of my ability when I transfer schools. I am honestly so honored to be considered for this award for a second year in a row and I for sure see them both as an accomplishment."
"I would say that I have just one memory at VU," Osei-Bonsu added. "Spending time and bonding with the team means a lot to me. We all have gotten closer and developed good friendships along the way. I think all of the team bonding we do helps us all work better as a team. So I'm honestly thankful I took the time to get closer to everyone."
"Last year when I came to VU, I honestly had no idea what to expect and I was nervous about how different high school basketball would be compared to college basketball," Osei-Bonsu said. "I didn't know how hard I would be pushed, but I definitely will always remember how hard the coaches pushed me because it shaped me to be the player I am right now."
"Now as a sophomore, I definitely can say I knew what I was expecting and I was the one to tell the freshmen what to expect and how hard they will be worked and motivated," Osei-Bonsu added. "Even though I knew what I was walking into, it still was challenging. But I wouldn't change my experience for anything."
The final Blazer to receive All-Region honors was Kris King. King has averaged 11.3 points, 3.8 assists and 3.4 rebounds per game this season for the Blue and Gold.
King has scored in double figures 18 times this season, including setting a career-high with 26 points in VU's sophomore-night win over Kaskaskia College.
King had a stretch of five straight games scoring in double figures this season and later scored 20 or more points in three straight games.
"Receiving this honor means a lot to me," King said. "To be selected for the All-Region team, I worked hard this year and I think that it is my hard work paying off a little bit. Not all the way yet though, because I do what that chip."
"I have a lot of great memories at VU, so it's hard for me to decide on just one," King added. "But my favorite would probably be sophomore night."
"When I first came to VU, I really didn't know what to expect," King said. "I'm not from the Midwest, so I've never been out here or anything like that. But my time at VU has been two very fun years that I will always remember."
This Trailblazer trio has helped guide the Blazers to a 30-3 record this season, including a 17-0 record in games inside the Physical Education Complex.
This trio led the Blazers to being ranked inside the Top-10 throughout most of the season, including winning VU's first Region 24 tournament championship since 2018.
Thomas, Osei-Bonsu and King will look to continue to build on this outstanding season when the Trailblazers head to Hutchinson, Kan. for the 2024 NJCAA Division I National Championship tournament.
VU earned the No. 4 overall seed and will play the winner of No. 13 Odessa College and No. 20 Trinidad State Community College Tuesday, March 26 at 1 p.m. eastern, streaming live on ESPN+.
ALL-REGION 24 HONORS
Player of the Year – DeMarion Walkup – Olney Central
ALL REGION 24 TEAM
DeMarion Walkup – Olney Central
LEBRON THOMAS – VINCENNES
MICHAEL OSEI-BONSU – VINCENNES
Julian Norris, Jr. – John A. Logan
Sean De Kovachich – Lake Land
Brandon Rayzor-Moore – Wabash Valley
Johnny Anderson – Shawnee
Elliot Lowndes – John A. Logan
JaKobe Thompson – Olney Central
LaDricus Pittman – Shawnee
Saxton Hoepker – Southwestern Illinois
Javecckio Thomas – Olney Central
Caleb Jenkins – Kaskaskia
Tyler Chapman – Lake Land
KRIS KING – VINCENNES
Will Vasser - Kaskaskia