WALTHAM, Mass. – Bentley University junior guard Zach Laput (Beacon Falls, Conn./Notre Dame HS), the Northeast-10 and D2SIDA East Region Player of the Year, has been named to the Bevo Francis Top 25 Watch List for the 2022-23 season. He was one of 11 Division II players who was recognized.

The Top 25 Watch List consists of some of the top players from NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, NAIA, USCAA and NCCAA men's basketball.

"Congratulations to the 24 players on this prestigious list," stated John McCarthy, the founder of Small College Basketball. "There are approximately 13,000-16,000 players that compete at the small college levels, and to be among the 25 players on this list, is obviously a very high honor. Based on our selection criteria, each of these players has earned their spot on this list, and they have had – or are still having - a phenomenal season."

The Clarence "Bevo" Francis Award is presented annually to the player who has had the finest overall season within Small College Basketball. Considerations will be season statistics and individual achievements, awards, personal character and team achievements. This is an incredibly prestigious award, as this award is given to one player within Small College Basketball per season.

Laput led the Northeast-10 in scoring at 20.4 points a game and his 611 points was the ninth most in program history. He also averaged 6.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists and one assist while shooting 54 percent overall, 41 percent from three and 83 percent from the foul line.

Laput helped Bentley to a 23-7 season and a berth in the NCAA Division II East Region championship game. During his two seasons in a Falcon uniform, he's scored 1055 points and been part of a team that has a 48-12 record.

The finalists for the 2023 Bevo Francis Award will be announced April 1 and the winner will be crowned April 3. 

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