APPLETON, Wis. -- Lawrence University basketball standout Chris Braier has earned All-America honors by d3hoops.com.
Braier, a sophomore forward from Wauwatosa, was named to the third team. It marked the first time in Lawrence history that a basketball player was named an All-American.
"I was really surprised," said Braier, who got the news in a phone call from head coach John Tharp. "I had to check for myself just to make sure."
Tharp said the success of the Vikings this season helped Braier draw the attention of Division III coaches, players, and fans across the country.
"I think it's a direct correlation to the kind of year we had," Tharp said. "He led us in almost every single category. I think he's a well-rounded basketball player, and I think his greatest asset is his competitiveness."
Braier was the Midwest Conference Player of the Year and a first-team all-league selection for the second consecutive season. He led Lawrence to the conference championship and NCAA Division III Championship bid for the first time since 1997. The former Wauwatosa East High School standout averaged 15 points and 13.4 rebounds per game.
"In my mind, I didn't play all that well this year. There are more things I can do if I play a little better," Braier said. "Look how far our team went this year, and we have so many things we can improve on. Coach Tharp says you never stay the same, you getter better or worse. We're always looking to improve."
Braier finished fourth in the nation in rebounding and posted 21 double-doubles in 29 games. He is in third place on the school's all-time list with 651 rebounds, which is 80 rebounds short of the career record of 731. Braier also led the team with 57 assists and 54 steals.
"Bop (Braier's nickname) is the type of player that doesn't get involved with individual accolades. He knows one thing and one thing only, and that is to work hard and improve," Tharp said. "He can get better and he will get better."
With the Vikings playing 10 to 12 players every night, balance was a key to the team's success. Braier commented that this was more of a team award.
"It wasn't like the whole offense was focused around me," Braier said. "I did everything in a team-oriented concept. That's why I was really surprised. You have guys like (Chris) MacGillis and (Rob) Nenahlo that are just as deserving as I am. The award shouldn't be just for me, it's as much for my teammates."
Lawrence played in the NCAA Division III Championship for the second time in school history in 2004. Braier helped Lawrence to the Elite 8, the furthest any Midwest Conference team has ever advanced in the NCAA tournament.
Lawrence defeated Lakeland College 86-51 in the first round, won 72-66 at Buena Vista University in the second round, and defeated Sul Ross State University 86-79 in overtime in the Sweet 16 in Tacoma, Wash. Lawrence's tournament run ended in the Elite 8 when the Vikings were edged 82-81 in overtime by the eventual national champion, the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Braier averaged 14 points and 14.5 rebounds in four tournament games.
Lawrence finished with a 24-5 record, breaking the school record for victories in a season, and was ranked as high as tenth nationally.