With an 11-18 record, this season has been a struggle for the University of Northern Colorado Men’s basketball team. With that in mind, it makes redshirt freshman Jonah Radebaugh‘s season all that much more impressive.

On monday, Radebaugh was named the Big Sky Conference’s Defensive Player of the Year. A walk-on, he started every game for the Bears, leading the team with 33.8 per game.

The lockdown guard held three of the First Team All-Big Sky selections, Tyler Hall, Jeremy Senglin and Quinton Hooker well below their season averages in scoring; also proving effective against Sacred Heart’s Quincy McKnight (11 points) and the University of Denver’s Joe Rosga (four points).

“The conference this year had a lot of talented guards and Jonah did a tremendous job of limiting their effectiveness,” said head coach Jeff Linder. “His ability to understand the scouting report and having one of the best motors I have ever been around in coaching allows him to defend at a high level.

Hailing from Thornton, Colo. Radebaugh went to Northglenn High School. He averaged 7.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.1 steals this season.