Trailblazer trio of Johnson, Osei-Bonsu and Cook earn All-Region 24 honors

VINCENNES, Ind. – The No. 15-seed Vincennes University Trailblazers will look to continue their already strong postseason run this week at the NJCAA National Tournament in Hutchinson, Kan.

But before the Trailblazers left VU, sophomores Caleb Johnson (N. Preston, Nova Scotia) and Tasos Cook (Columbus, Ohio) and freshman Michael Osei-Bonsu (Bolingbrook, Ill.) were all named to the 2023 All-Region 24 team earlier this week.

VU sophomore Caleb Johnson served as one VU’s most consistent scorers this season, leading the Blazers with an average of 16.8 points per game, while also averaging 4.4 rebounds and three assists per game.

Johnson has scored in double-figures in 31 of VU’s 32 games this season, with the only game under 10 points coming in November when he scored nine points in VU’s win over Northeast Mississippi.

Johnson likely moves himself into NJCAA history with this All-Region selection as one of the only players to earn All-Region honors three times and earning All-Region honors in three different Regions in his career.

Johnson began his collegiate career at Williston State in North Dakota where he earned All-Region 13 honors in 2021.

Johnson would then transfer to Angelina College in Texas and earn All-Region 14 honors last season for the Roadrunners.

Johnson’s best games this season both came against Harry S. Truman College when Johnson finished with a 27-point, 10-rebound double-double in Chicago and a 25-point, 12-rebound double-double in the rematch at VU.

“It is truly an honor to be a part of the All-Region 24 team,” Johnson said. “Our team has been working hard all year, so it has allowed me to be successful in our system. I am proud to be recognized as one of the best players in Region 24.”

“My experience here at Vincennes has been different from my first two years because of the platform that has been created by the history of Vincennes basketball,” Johnson added. “We have played against good competition all year, which played a factor in us getting better as a unit and me as an individual player.”

“My favorite memory at VU this season was definitely having one of my brothers come here and watch me play,” Johnson said. “Also the experience of watching the National Selection Show with my teammates and finding out that we made the National Tournament.”

Freshman Michael Osei-Bonsu made a noticeable impression on many Region 24 coaches and players this season with his impressive size in the low post.

At just six-foot four Osei-Bonsu weighs in at 265 pounds and had little trouble creating space under the basket both rebounding and scoring in the paint.

Osei-Bonsu has averaged 9.9 points and 8.8 rebounds per game this season for the Blazers and has finished with a team-high six double-doubles this season.

Osei-Bonsu’s season-high for points sits at 25, which came against Volunteer State.

Osei-Bonsu has scored in double-figures 13 times this season and has grabbed 10 or more rebounds 14 times for the Blazers, with his best game on the glass coming at Shawnee when Michael grabbed 17 rebounds, including nine offensive rebounds.

“It honestly means so much to be selected as a member of the All-Region 24 team,” Osei-Bonsu said. “It motivates me to play better and work harder for next year. I am extremely grateful to be selected and have this opportunity along with my fellow teammates Caleb Johnson and Tasos Cook. Overall, it is a great honor and accomplishment to receive this award.”

“When I first arrived at VU, I did not know that Coach Franklin would push me as hard as he did,” Osei-Bonsu added. “He encourages us to be the best and makes you work hard in every rep and possession around him. When I came in, I thought I wouldn’t be the best player and I would have to work way harder than I ever had to get my spot on the team. Which is what happened and I preserved throughout the entire season.”

“My favorite memory from this season so far was the team bonding,” Osei-Bonsu said. “Hanging out and joking around with the team made me feel welcomed here at Vincennes.”

Sophomore Tasos Cook came to VU this season after playing last year at Stetson University in Florida.

Cook set the tone early for his season with the Blue and Gold, scoring 48 points combined in his first three games this year.

Cook served as VU’s sophomore point guard this season and has posted a season average of 10.9 points and a team-high 4.3 assists per game. Cook has also grabbed nearly three rebounds per game for Vincennes.

Cook scored in double-figures 17 times this season and was the only member of the Trailblazers to start in all 32 games so far this season.

Cook’s best scoring game this season came in a 26-point outing against Kaskaskia, including hitting a perfect 13 of 13 from the free throw line. Cook also twice dished out nine assists, just missing out on a double-double.

“It means a lot to be recognized as a member of the All-Region team,” Cook said. “Our Region is one of the most competitive in the country, I believe and holds a lot of talent within all the teams in it. So for myself, Michael and Caleb to be recognized is great. I wouldn’t have got it without my team and I believe we have a team full of guys who could also be recognized no doubt.”

“Stetson was a good experience for me and I built many relationships there that I will always have but Vincennes has been a completely different experience,” Cook added. “My time here in Vincennes has been one of the best experiences for myself as a competitor, that is what we do everyday and it drives me to keep working. Our culture here is nothing like I had last year and it is easy to see that it’s not false. We have a loyal family here that Coach stresses that has been carried on since he started coaching and will continue to carry on as the years go by.”

“The environment is one for someone who loves the sport and has a passion to win, which is why this school has been perfect for me,” Cook said. “There aren’t many distractions and it has allowed me to lock in on what is important. Besides basketball, Coach not only helps with that aspect, but also pushes us so we can be successful in life after we leave here. The education has been great and I know it will set me up for my future in the years to come. Overall, my time here is something that I needed to experience and has been completely worth my time.”

“My favorite memory from this season so far was when we got our first win in the first game of the year,” Cook added. “It was a different excitement in all of us that the season had started and we all knew we were in for a good year. It was the start of something that none of us will forget.”

This trio of Blazers has helped guide Vincennes to a very impressive bounce back 28-5 season this year and earned VU’s 10th NJCAA Tournament berth in the last 11 seasons.

Vincennes will look to continue their 2023 postseason run Monday, March 20 when No. 15-seed VU takes on No. 18 Trinity Valley at the Hutchinson Sports Arena. Tip-off time Monday is set for 3 p.m. eastern.

ALL-REGION 24 HONORS

Player of the Year – Curt Lewis – John A. Logan

Freshman of the Year – Mershan Dickerson – Olney Central

ALL REGION 24 TEAM

Curt Lewis – John A. Logan

Quimari Peterson – John A. Logan

Mershan Dickerson – Olney Central

Jakobi Heady – Wabash Valley

CALEB JOHNSON – VINCENNES

Jhei-R Jones – Kaskaskia

Jaquias Franklin – SWIC

Isaiah Stafford – John A. Logan

AK Hazley – Shawnee

Amar Kuljuhovic – Lake Land

Clint Wickliffe – Lincoln Trail

Jylen Petty – Kaskaskia

MICHAEL OSEI-BONSU – VINCENNES

TASOS COOK – VINCENNES

Ksuan Casey – Wabash Valley

Johnny Close – Lake Land