Jozenville nabs independent honor

Flagler forward wins ICAA Player of the Year after stellar senior season

By Michael O’ Donnell

Sam Jozenville only spent two years as the power forward for the Flagler men’s basketball team, but his impact will be felt long after he leaves. After two momentous seasons he was given the highest honor he could receive.

Jozenville was selected as Player of the Year by the Independent Collegiate Athletic Association, edging out Florida Gulf Coast’s Beau Bauer by one point to receive the honor.

Jozenville was also named to the ICAA first team. The Player of the Year award was the highest honor Jozenville could earn while Flagler sits in a probationary period with the NCAA.
“I just feel shocked right now,” Jozenville said about the award.

No one can deny that the humble Jozenville is a perennial player who can get the job done on the basketball court.

Last year he led the NAIA in field goal percentage as a power forward, which according to Coach Bo Clark, is extremely difficult to do at that position.

“It is hard for guards to lead their respective conferences in field goal percentage,” Clark said. “Guys in the guard position, usually take perimeter jump shots and drive the lane for lay ups. That is what makes Sam such a great player — he is very skilled.”

Clark employed a system where Jozenville was used as a guard and a forward.

Jozenville’s success transferred over into Flagler’s first season in the NCAA where he led Flagler to a 14-13 record, averaging 19.5 points per game and shot an astounding 60.2 percent from the field. The coaching staff knows it is going to be very hard to replace a versatile player like Jozenville.

“He will be missed,” Clark said. “Sam was a leader for our team — a quiet leader, but he was a good leader. I wish we had two more years with him.”

“It is going to be tough to replace a versatile player like Sam,” Link said. “We have some big shoes to fill.”

While Jozenville will surely be missed at Flagler, he just may get a chance to play on a little bit of a bigger stage next year.

Jozenville is currently looking into an opportunity in the Queensland Australian Basketball League, where former Flagler College basketball players Christopher Gureckis (1999-2001) and Benjamin Kersenbrock (1999-2003) both play currently.

Jozenville is also looking at the possibility of playing in the American Basketball Association as well. But for the senior, it doesn’t matter where he plays.

“I am looking to play overseas,” Jozenville said. “I would play anywhere, whether I am playing overseas or playing the ABA. It doesn’t matter to me [where I play]. I just want to continue to keep playing basketball.”