Charlotte, NC: Snow College (UT) star forward Isaac Finlinson has been named the 2024-25 NJCAA Division I Men's Basketball Player of the Year.
"Isaac 'Ike' Finlinson has impacted and inspired our team and our community with his consistency and fearlessness. Ike is incredibly competitive in his drive to become the best he can be, which, as a captain, led our team to the winningest season in school history," Snow head men's basketball coach Andrew May said.
Finlinson was one of the top shooters and scorers this season, averaging 18.7 points and 6.6 rebounds for the top-ranked Badgers. He also shot 38.5% from behind the arc. The sophomore led Snow to many outstanding feats this season, including first time West District Champions, scoring double-digit points in 29 of 33 games on the season, Snow being ranking No. 1 for a majority of the season and the No. 1 overall seed in the 2025 Credit Union 1 NJCAA DI Men's Basketball Championship.
"His attention to detail and willingness to seek out adversity are part of what makes him great! He is a fierce competitor and a great leader! I'm so proud of him and his development both on and off the floor. He will be greatly missed next year," Snow assistant coach Brad Kitchen said.
He was named the Scenic West Athletic Conference (SWAC) Player of the Year in March, receiving 68 of a possible 70 votes. In the West District Championship against No. 17 Eastern Arizona, Finlinson became the fifth member of Snow's 1,000-point club while leading them to a win. On January 23rd, he scored a career-high 35 points on 13/16 shooting and a career-high eight assists in the game.
"His leadership will definitely be missed, but I'm excited to see all that lies ahead for him in the next chapter of his career. Coaching Ike has been an absolute privilege," Snow assistant coach Josh Perkins said.
While leading Snow to its highest ranking at the national tournament in program history, the top-ranked fell in the second round on a heartbreaking 40-foot buzzer beater from Connors State (OK), who would advance to the championship game.
Finlinson was named the 2025 JUCO Jam Media National Player of the Year. +
According to reports, he has visited the University of Hawai'i and Oakland University and received an offer from Southern Illinois University.
NJCAA Stats
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18.7 PPG
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6.6 RPG
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1.7 APG
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51.6 FG%
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38.5 3PT%
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Career high 35 points in a game
NJCAA Accomplishments
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2024-25 NJCAA DI Men's Basketball First-Team All-America Selection
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SWAC Player of the Year
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Five-Time SWAC Player of the Week
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2025 JUCO Jam Media National Player of the Year