FRISCO, Texas – Lamar University sophomore center David Muoka has been named Southland Conference Defensive Player of the Year announced league officials Tuesday morning. The top vote-getter on the Southland's All-Defensive Team, it is the first league honor of Muoka's career.
 
"We're very excited for David, and proud of the progress that he has made," said LU head coach Tic Price. "We recruited him as a rim protector, and he's done even more for us because now he can score for us around the rim. In addition to that, he is now one of the best rebounders in our conference. David's progress has been amazing. He is a big key to our turnaround."
 
Standing 6-10 in the middle of LU's defense, Muoka has been an imposing force since his rookie season. The Honk Kong native took his play to another level in the second half of the 2020-21 season. Muoka led the Southland Conference and ranked seventh nationally averaging 2.85 blocks per game. He was second nationally in blocks among sophomores and led the state of Texas.
 
Muoka ends the regular season averaging better than a block per game more than the next closest competitor in the league ­– 23 more blocks than anyone else in the Southland despite playing one fewer game.
 
In addition to being considered a wall for opposing offenses, Muoka also transformed himself into one of the Southland's top rebounders this past season. Muoka ranked seventh in the league averaging 7.0 rebounds per game, and sixth in the league in defensive rebounds (5.0 pg).
 
Earlier this season, Muoka tied the LU single-game record when he blocked nine shots in the victory over Stephen F. Austin. He finished just one block shy of a triple-double in that game.
 
"We knew when we recruited him that he was inexperienced, but we also knew his best basketball was still ahead of him," said Price. "Our hope for David is that he realizes with continued hard work that the sky is the limit."
 
Muoka was a huge reason for the Cardinals late season turnaround that saw LU win its final four games and climb to sixth in the league standings. The Cardinals late season surge earned them a first-round bye at the Southland Championships in Katy. LU opens tournament play Wednesday, Mar. 10^th, when they face the winner of the No. 7 UIW vs. No. 10 Houston Baptist game. The game will be streamed live on ESPN+.