Sophomore Averaged 11.0 Points, 6.8 Boards Per Game

April 9, 1999

NEW ORLEANS - The hard work paid off for Tulane's Ledaryl Billingsley, as he earned a spot on the 1998-99 All-Louisiana Collegiate Basketball Team, as selected by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association.

Billingsley, a 6-foot-7, 230-pound, forward from Chicago, Ill., averaged 11.0 points and 6.8 rebounds for the Green Wave in 1998-99 to earn third-team honors. It was a breakthrough campaign for the sophomore, as he led the team in points scored (297), rebounds (184), field goals (107), free throws (83), and field goal percentage (.491). Billingsley is one of two sophomores to be recognized by the LSWA.

Billingsley's play dramatically improved over the last half of the season. Keyed by a 13-point, 11-rebound performance against New Orleans on Jan. 16, he finished in double figures in 10 of his last 15 games and averaged 13.7 points and 9.0 rebounds in that span.

On the year, he led the Green Wave with five double-doubles and tied for the team lead with 15 games in double figures. From Feb. 6-Feb. 18, Billingsley registered four consecutive 20-point, 10-rebound games, including a 20-point, 19-rebound effort at Houston on Feb. 13. The 19 rebounds were a career high and the second-best effort in Conference USA this season. He led Tulane in rebounding in 15 of the last 16 games.

It is the first time in Billingsley's career that he has earned postseason accolades. During the season, he was named Most Valuable Player of the Nokia Sugar Bowl Classic for his efforts in the Jan. 16 win over New Orleans.

Billingsley helped the Green Wave to a 12-15 record this season. Tulane finished tied for second place in Conference USA's National Division.