CHICO, Calif. – After a historic season for the Chico State men's basketball that saw the Wildcats go 13 games unbeaten, it ended with a first-round bye in the CCAA Championships and multiple players earning All-CCAA honors. Led by a stellar season from junior Jojo Murphy, the Oakland native was named the Player of the Year for the California Collegiate Athletic Association after a season of non-stop scoring and big plays for the third year.
Murphy was the 2022-23 Freshman of the Year, the first since Will Bonner in 2002. He becomes the second Chico State player to be allotted the honor in four years following Malik Duffy's award-winning season in 2021-22. His season was riddled with double-digit games as he recorded more than ten points and 16 games where he exceeded the 20-point barrier.
He completed his junior campaign as the conference leader in 3-point shooting percentage (.404) and 3-pointers made per game (2.65). He is the fourth Wildcat to earn CCAA Player of the Year honors. He joins Malik Duffy (2021-22), Robert Duncan (2015-16), and Jay Flores (2011-12).
Tacked along with the incredible title of CCAA Player of the Year, Murphy earns a spot on the First Team list for the second time in his career.
Joining Murphy on the All-CCAA First Team list is junior guard Isaiah Kerr, the Palo Alto native who started all 27 games for the 'Cats. Kerr had an incredible second year with the 'Cats, recording 359 total points and averaging 13.3 points per game, a ten-point jump from last season.
He scored a career-high 24 points in the Wildcats win over Cal Poly Humboldt at home on December 14th, sinking five long-range baskets against the 'Jacks. The 6'3" guard shot 47 percent from the field and 36 percent from three-point range, playing a vital role in Chico State's second-place conference run.
Trae Taylor was the lone Wildcat on the Second Team, earning his first All-Conference Award. Taylor had a breakout season, stepping into the post role following the departure of Kelvin Wright Jr., filling a gap effortlessly and with incredible flair under the rim. The San Diego native has been a dominant force under the basket, scoring a recent new career-high with 32 points on 14-for-14 field goals—A new CCAA single-game record for field goals made.
Caden Harris and Miles Daniels earned an honorable mention from the conference coaches. Harris has had a flurry of strong performances this season, showcasing his lethal long-range shooting if given the space, averaging 10.6 points and shooting 36 percent in his second year. Daniels was a considerable threat to opposing defenses throughout the season due to his ability to find a way to the basket, making contested layups or dishing off incredible passes to an open shooter.
On Friday, the Wildcats will take on the winner of the first-round game this weekend at the 2025 CCAA Championships between Cal State LA and Cal State San Bernardino. The 'Cats had an intense closing week against Cal State San Marcos and Sonoma State, and they are looking to carry that momentum into this weekend.
