SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Mar. 21) – Tony Binetti became Seattle Pacific University’s first All-American in seven years after being voted to the 16-member NCAA Division II team by the National Association of Basketball Coaches.

Binetti (Sr., 6-1, Enumclaw, Wa.) is only the third SPU player to earn the All-America distinction, joining Jeff McBroom (1999) and Howard Heppner (1966).

Binetti was earlier voted the Great Northwest Athletic Conference player of the year and all-West Region, and was also selected to play in the Div. II All-Star game. He was forced to bypass the latter because of the Falcons’ (25-5) involvement in the NCAA Elite Eight.

Seattle Pacific plays Montevallo (Al.) in the first quarterfinal game Wednesday in the MassMutual Center.

Binetti averages 18.2 points, 5.1 assists and 1.8 steals. He ranks among the GNAC leaders in seven categories.

Joining Binetti on the All-America team was Grant Dykstra of Western Washington.

NABC Division II All-America Team
Luke Anderson, Minnesota State-Mankato
Tony Binetti, Seattle Pacific
Duane Crockett, Virginia Union
Grant Dykstra, Western Washington
DeMarion Grier, Pfeiffer
Darius Hargrove, Virginia Union
Michael Hicks, Central Missouri
Jasper Johnson, Delta State
Shaun McKie, Salem International
Stacey Moragne, Massachusetts-Lowell
Sheldon Pace, Southwest Baptist
Dustin Pfeifer, Findlay
Jason Smith, Alabama-Huntsville
Sullivan Sykes, Saint Joseph’s
Tayron Thomas, Philadelphai
Turner Trofholz, South Dakota