After putting together a record-breaking season, freshman point guard Dylan Garrity was named Big Sky Conference Freshman of the Year and to the all-Big Sky honorable mention team Thursday.

Garrity tied the Sacramento State record for assists-per-game average this season with 6.9, which was good for first in the Big Sky and sixth in Div. I basketball.

Garrity started 27 out of the 28 games this season as a true freshman and averaged 8.1 points per game and was second on the team with 33.8 minutes per game.

Garrity is the third Hornet to be named Big Sky Freshman of the Year since the Hornets joined the Big Sky, beginning with the 1996-97 season. He said it was an honor to receive the award.

“I was just extremely thankful for it,” Garrity said. “I got calls from literally everyone back home and up at school saying congrats.”

Garrity’s presence and skill on the court contributed to the Hornets’ first 10-win season since the 2006-07 season, and they increased their win total for the third straight year.

After receiving only one Div. I offer to play basketball, Garrity said winning the award paid off and he was happy to prove everyone wrong.

“I felt relieved when I found out because all the hard work I have put in my whole life is now starting to pay off and people are noticing how good I am,” Garrity said. “It feels great, for sure, proving all the other coaches wrong that said I wouldn’t make it in college, and that was what I really wanted to do.”

Josh Stanley can be reached at [email protected].