Bryant Third In America East Poll, Gross-Bullock & Timberlake Named Preseason All-Conference, Martelli Jr. Speaks On Coaching Situation

BOSTON — Sherif Gross-Bullock and Earl Timberlake were named to the Preseason All-America East team, while the Bryant University men’s basketball team was selected third in a vote of league coaches, it was announced Wednesday morning as part of America East Basketball Media Day.

The Bulldogs were picked third behind defending champion Vermont and UMass Lowell. Binghamton, Maine, UMBC, UAlbany, New Hampshire and NJIT round out the nine-team poll. The six-man preseason all-conference team includes Gross-Bullock, Timberlake, Abdoul Karim Coulibaly (UMass Lowell), Clarence Daniels (New Hampshire), Aaron Deloney (Vermont) and Kellen Tynes (Maine).

Gross-Bullock was named the 2022-23 America East Newcomer of the Year after leading the conference in scoring with 17.1 points per game. He added 4.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game in his first season in the Black and Gold. The Washington, D.C., native posted 24 double-figure games, 11 20-point games and a career-high 39-point effort at UMBC. The 39 points are the third-most in a single game in DI program history.

Timberlake also had a stellar debut season with the Black and Gold, finishing with 13.8 ppg and 8.4 rpg. He posted nine double-doubles and also contributed 2.7 apg. Timberlake became the first player in DI program history with at least 23+ points, 7+ rebounds, 4+ assists and 2+ blocks in Bryant’s win at NJIT. He posted one of his best games of the season in a win at FIU, finishing with 17 points, 13 rebounds and six assists.

Bryant finished 17-13 overall and 8-8 in league play during its maiden voyage in the America East in 2022-23. The Bulldogs have won 15+ games in four-straight seasons, a first in DI program history.

The Black and Gold open their season on Monday, November 6 against Manhattan. Tip is set for 7:30 p.m.