February 23, 2025 - Fayetteville State University is proud to announce the outstanding achievements of its basketball program, with three of its members receiving prestigious awards for the 2024-25 season during the CIAA Athletic banquet.

All-Conference Backcourt Awardee: Tairell Fletcher

Tairell Fletcher, a senior sports management major from Fayetteville, NC, has had an exceptional season, marked by his milestone achievement of scoring his 1000th career point on January 13th against Johnson C. Smith. His consistent performance and leadership on the court have been instrumental in his team's success. For the 2024-25 season, Tairell averaged 17.6 points per game, with a free throw percentage of 82.1%. He also contributed 3.1 rebounds per game and 4.5 assists per game, showcasing his all-around abilities. Some of his notable performances include scoring 24 points and grabbing 6 rebounds against Lock Haven on November 8th, and scoring 23 points and dishing out 4 assists against Clarion on November 9th.

All-Conference Frontcourt Awardee: Caleb Simmons

Caleb Simmons, a senior computer science major from Newburgh, NY, has been a standout player this season, earning a spot on the 2024-25 Men's Basketball Preseason Team - Frontcourt. He was named the CIAA Player of the Week in both Week #4 and Week #5, and the Defensive Player of the Week in Week #12. On November 30, 2024, Caleb scored his 1000th career point during a game against Virginia State. Throughout the season, he recorded nine double-double games, showcasing his consistency and versatility on the court. For the 2024-25 season, Caleb averaged 17.2 points per game and 9.3 rebounds per game, with a free throw percentage of 82.1%. Some of Caleb's notable performances include scoring 34 points and grabbing 15 rebounds against USC Aiken on November 26, 2024, and scoring 30 points and grabbing 11 rebounds against Virginia Union on December 7, 2024.

Men's Basketball 2024-2025 Coach of the Year: Luke D'Alessio

Coach Luke D'Alessio has led his team to an outstanding 21-7 overall record, the best in the CIAA. Under his leadership, the team has achieved a 9-1 record in the division, securing the Southern Division Championship for the third consecutive season. This remarkable achievement is a testament to Coach D'Alessio's strategic acumen and ability to inspire his players. This season, Coach D'Alessio has reached his 100th win as a coach at Fayetteville State and 300th career win. The team's success is reflected in their best regional ranking in the CIAA and their 6th place ranking in the NCAA Division II Atlantic region. Notably, they have defeated #11 USC Aiken and have beaten four teams currently ranked in the top eight in their region. Additionally, Coach D'Alessio has coached a team that saw three players reach their 1000th career point this season, underscoring his commitment to player development.

Fayetteville State University congratulates Tairell Fletcher, Caleb Simmons, and Coach Luke D'Alessio on their remarkable achievements and contributions to the basketball program. Their dedication, skill, and leadership have been pivotal in the team's success this season.