PHILADELPHIA, PA (04/11/03) - Arguably one of the top backcourts in the country this past season, Saint Joseph's junior Jameer Nelson and sophomore Delonte West were named co-Most Valuable Players at the program's 48th annual award banquet on Friday night at the Adams Mark Hotel. The two helped lift SJU to a 23-7 record, a third straight Atlantic 10 Conference regular season championship, a #25 national ranking by the Associated Press at the end of the regular season and an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. Nelson, a third team All-America selection by ESPN.com, led the Hawks in scoring (19.7 ppg.) and assists (4.7 apg.) while placing second on the squad in rebounding (5.1 rpg.). The two-time first team all-Atlantic 10 selection saved his best for last, averaging 29 points over the final six contests, including a career high 39 points in the Atlantic 10 semifinals against Dayton and 32 points in the team's NCAA Tournament game against Auburn. His 591 points rank sixth on SJU's single season scoring list. West, a first team all-Atlantic 10 selection, placed second on the team, in scoring (17.3 ppg.) and third in rebounding (4.3 rpg.). No one was hotter in the month of February than the 6-4 guard as he averaged 24.8 points and 5.0 rebounds as SJU went 6-1 in games he played. Also named the A-10's Most Improved Player, West suffered a stress fracture of the right fibula which impacted his play and the team's success down the stretch. Sophomore Pat Carroll and freshman Dwayne Jones, were named the Most Improved Players (Robert O'Neill Memorial Award) while the team's three seniors, Mike Farrelly, Phil Martelli,Jr. and Alexandre Sazonov shared the William F. Maher Memorial Award for Loyalty. Junior Tyrone Barley, the heart of the SJU's defense, was named the recipient of the Pat O'Pake Unsung Hero Award. Former Hawk player Bill McFadden (1963-65) was named the recipient of the Michael J. Conway Memorial Award, which is presented to a former player or coach who has given back in the spirit of the late Mike Conway, a former SJU equipment manager (1965-85). Other honorees at the banquet included junior Robert Hartshorn (Daniel J. Cummings Memorial Award for Spirit); freshman Chet Stachitas (George Senesky Academic Award); spirited Hawk fan Ed Fisher (Sixth Man Award); and team chaplain Rev. H. Cornell Bradley, S.J. and team trainer Bill Lukasiewicz (William J. Bennett Mem. Award for Dedication and Service to SJU Basketball).