Grasso named USBWA District I Coach of the Year

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Bryant University men's basketball head coach Jared Grasso has been named the USBWA District I Coach of the Year, the association announced on Tuesday.

Redshirt senior Peter Kiss was also recognized, earning a spot on the 10-man All-District I Team. Grasso becomes the first Bulldog to receive distinction, while Kiss is the second to be honored by the USBWA in program history. District I is made up of Division I schools in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire.

Grasso, also a finalist for the Hugh Durham Award, has guided the Black and Gold to their best season in Division I history. The Bulldogs won 15 games for the second-straight season and advanced to the Northeast Conference Championship for the first time in program history. Bryant ranked among the nation's best in scoring, tempo, three-point shooting and three-point defense for most of the season. Grasso has the Black and Gold back in the CBI for the second time in program history and has led them to a 30-23 record over the last two seasons.

Kiss is the first Bulldog since Dyami Starks in 2015 to earn All-District honors after he posted 16.9 points per game, 6.3 rebounds per game, 3.3 assists per game and 1.86 steals per game. He led the Bulldogs with 19 points in the NEC semifinals before recording a double-double in the NEC Championship. Kiss scored 20+ points on 10 occasions, including a season-high 27 against Central Connecticut on Jan. 8. He also recorded the first triple-double in DI program history with 12 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists against the Blue Devils.

Bryant is set to face Coastal Carolina in the quarterfinals of the CBI on Monday, March 22. Tip is set for 2:30 p.m.