ORLANDO, Fla. - Fifty years to the day of the Sunshine State Conference's first athletic event, the league marks its golden anniversary by honoring the most accomplished men's basketball players in its history. The SSC proudly announces the Top Players from the past quarter-century seasons, featuring the 14 distinguished athletes who competed in the league from 2000 to 2025. These players will be formally paired with the league's Silver Anniversary Team (1975–1999) to celebrate the conference's most outstanding talent.
The Gold Anniversary honorees embody the modern era of SSC basketball, a time defined by national championships, record-breaking achievements, and increased national prominence. These 14 standouts feature National Players of the Year, All-Americans, 2,000-point scorers, and NCAA Division II champions. They join 14 legends from the league's first quarter-century to create a 28-member historic roster.
Florida Tech is an original member of the Sunshine State Conference and has competed in every men's basketball season, spanning the 50-year history. Panther Men's Basketball has had dozens of elite players in it's history, with two earning recognition as some the best players in conference history. Rob Terry and Dwight Walton are the two Panther legends who have received this recondition and will forever have their place in Sunshine State Conference history.
Dwight Walton was a member of the men's basketball program from 1988-91 and was inducted into the Florida Tech Sports Hall of Fame in 2001. Walton's career was nothing short of exceptional, making him one of the most dominant players in SSC and Florida Tech history. His records speak for themselves as he is second in career rebounds (861) and three-point percentage (.458), fourth in points per game (17.35), eighth in field goals made (540), and eighth in field goal percentage (.563). Walton's achievements include being in both the Florida Tech 1,000-point club and 500-rebound club. Walton became the program's first NABC All-American in 1988 and during his time at Tech he led the Panthers to a SSC Regular Season Title, SSC Tournament Championship appearance and two NCAA Tournament berths, including a run to the Sweet Sixteen in 1990. He was also an original member of the SSC 25
th anniversary team.
Rob Terry was a member of the men's basketball team from 1993-1997 and was inducted into the Florida Tech Sports Hall of Fame in 2003. Terry's records are not just impressive; they are unparalleled. He is the program's all-time leader in career rebounds (880), blocks (170), and field goal percentage (.608). He is also in the top 10 in career points with 1,627, averaging 16.9 points per game. He is the only Panther with over 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, 100 steals, and 100 blocks in a career. Rob Terry's elite play garnered multiple awards, being named the SSC Freshman of the Year in 1994. In 1997 he was named the SSC Player of the year and earned All-South District First Team and All-America Honorable Mention. Terry's dominance was further recognized as he is a member of the SSC's 25
th anniversary team.
These Gold and Silver Anniversary Team honors are a reflection of the SSC's competitive identity. For five decades, the conference has produced numerous national championship programs, hundreds of All-Americans and national award winners, historic statistical leaders who appear atop NCAA and conference record books, and a tradition of excellence that has positioned the SSC as the most respected league in NCAA Division II.
As the SSC celebrates its 50th year and beyond, the Gold and Silver Anniversary honorees will be symbols of everything the conference has built and the standard future generations will strive to match.
| SSC Men's Basketball Gold Anniversary Team: 2000-2025 |
| Name |
Years |
School |
| Yunio Barrueta |
2013-16 |
Barry |
| Elvar Fridriksson |
2015-18 |
Barry |
| Romeo Crouch |
2019-22 |
Embry-Riddle |
| Jadin Booth |
2021-25 |
Florida Southern |
| Kevin Capers |
2011-15 |
Florida Southern |
| Brett Hanson |
2016-20 |
Florida Southern |
| Jonathan Lawton |
2017-19 |
Florida Southern |
| Dallas Graziani |
2021-23, 24-26 |
Nova Southeastern |
| MJ Iraldi |
2023-25 |
Nova Southeastern |
| RJ Sunahara |
2019-23 |
Nova Southeastern |
| Sekou Sylla |
2021-22 |
Nova Southeastern |
| Jonny Reibel |
2005-08 |
Rollins |
| Nick Wolf |
2007-11 |
Rollins |
| Jon Brown |
1998-02 |
Tampa |
|
|
|
| Top Player of 2000-25: Kevin Capers, Florida Southern |
| Top Coach of 2000-25: Jim Crutchfield, Nova Southeastern |
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SSC Men's Basketball Gold Anniversary Team: 1976-1999
(Silver Anniversary Honorees Announced November 28, 2000) |
| Name |
Years |
School |
| Dwayne Perry |
1986-89 |
Eckerd |
| John Ebeling |
1978-82 |
Florida Southern |
| Derek Flowers |
1987-91 |
Florida Southern |
| Jerry Johnson |
1984-88 |
Florida Southern |
| Kris Keamey |
1985-89 |
Florida Southern |
| Rob Terry |
1993-97 |
Florida Tech |
| Dwight Walton |
1988-91 |
Florida Tech |
| Joel Fiser |
1978-82 |
Rollins |
| Bo Clark |
1975-79 |
Central Florida |
| Jerry Prather |
1975-78 |
Central Florida |
| DeCarlo Deveaux |
1990-94 |
Tampa |
| Nate Johnston |
1984-88 |
Tampa |
| Todd Linder |
1983-87 |
Tampa |
| Bryan Williams |
1987-91 |
Tampa |
|
|
|
| Top Player of 1976-99: John Ebeling, Florida Southern |
| Top Coach of 1976-99: Hal Wissel, Florida Southern |
