Fort Lewis College knew it had an all-region caliber basketball player in Riley Farris. After the season, he got the accolade to back up what his coaches believed to be true all year.
Farris, a 6-foot-9 junior forward for the FLC men’s basketball team, was named to the NCAA Division II Conference Commissioner’s Association All-South Central Regional second team for his play during the 2019-20 season.
“Riley blossomed into the player we all thought he could be,” said FLC head coach Bob Pietrack. “When we first saw Riley at Hutto High School in Texas, we knew he was capable of being a special player at Fort Lewis.”
The fifth-year junior bounced back from a shoulder injury a season earlier and was 12th in the nation in scoring at 23.9 points-per game. He also had a career-high six rebounds per game.
He did his damage while he shot 55.7% from the field.
“His offensive efficiency and consistency this season was incredible,” Pietrack said. “He’s the best offensive center in all of Division II basketball.”
All-American selections will be made later this month. Farris’ all-region honor came after he was a first team all-conference selection earlier this month.
Farris will return to the Skyhawks for a rare sixth year as a senior for the 2020-21 season. Injuries as a freshman and then the 2018-19 season granted him two extra years of NCAA eligibility. FLC is committed to building around his offensive prowess and bouncing back from two seasons without reaching the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference tournament after winning the conference title in two of the previous three seasons.
“The scary part is Riley still has so much growth left in his game,” Pietrack said. “He is determined to improve his all-around game and be even better next season. I know I can speak for Riley, his teammates and our staff that we are very much looking forward to next season and restoring the winning tradition of Fort Lewis basketball.”
jlivingston@durangoherald.com
