BOISE, Idaho - After a first-year campaign that saw him post a team-leading 14.1 points a night, Meridian homegrown Jackson Rasmussen was named as the Big Sky Conference Freshman of the Year, alongside Isaish Brickner, who earned the title of Top Reserve while averaging a season-long line of 11.9 points and 3.7 rebounds per game on over 50% shooting from the field. Kolton Mitchell also earned an All-Conference Honorable Mention nod, following his strong play over the course of the regular season. 

Rasmussen is the second Vandal to earn the Freshman of the Year award since Idaho returned to the Big Sky Conference before the 2014-15 season and the first since Nigel Burris in 2022-23. He posted 21 double-figure efforts in his 30 regular season appearances and has been Idaho's leading scorer in 11 contests. 

"Jackson is having a terrific year," Coach Pribble said of his freshman star. "He plays with a maturity and confidence that you don't see in many freshman. He's also extremely coachable and continues to improve. This is a well deserved honor."

The highest commit to a Big Sky school out of the high school class of 2024 according to 247Sports, Rasmussen shot 49.1% from the field, the sixth highest rate in the Big Sky and a top-25 mark by a first-year player nationally. 

Brickner has been a revelation for Idaho off the bench this season, contributing 20 or more points on three different occasions and shooting north of 51%, in addition to making eight starts. 

"Isaiah showed incredible resilience this year," Pribble stated when asked about the senior. "After not having much of an offseason due to injuries, he came into this year with a toughness that was inspiring. He worked extremely hard and has had the best season of his career. He has been huge for us all year long."

The San Diego native has proven to be a threat to opposing defenses all season long, but has specifically turned up the heat in conference play, making over 56% of his shots from inside the arc against Big Sky opponents, which has led to him posting north of 15 points in eight Big Sky games. 

Idaho's second All-Conference Honorable Mention in as many years, Mitchell earned the shout following a 13.6 point and four assists per game campaign that saw him post five 20-plus point performances. 

"This is a well deserved honor for Kolton" Idaho's head man explained. "He has had some huge games this year, and he has proven himself to be a more complete player than last year. It's not just his scoring, but his ability create for others and make some plays on the defensive end. He's also been a very steady leader for us. I'm glad the conference coaches recognized his achievements this year."

The Coeur d'Alene native had one of the 10 highest assist rates in the Big Sky during conference play, a number that was fueled by strong outings against Idaho State in Moscow, where he scored 17 and dished out a career-high seven assists, and six-dime nights versus San Diego and Portland State. Mitchell was named a Big Sky Player of the Week for the second time in his career in December thanks to a 39-minute, 31-point showing in an overtime victory at Cal Poly. 

UP NEXT
Idaho will open its Starch Madness journey in Boise on Saturday, March 7th at 7 p.m. PT/8 p.m. MT, against Sacramento State on ESPN+ and the Vandal Radio Network.