Bryant, Kiss recognized by Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook

SMITHFIELD, R.I. -- The Bryant University men's basketball team has been picked second and senior Peter Kiss has been selected as the Northeast Conference Preseason Player of the Year by the Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook. 

Bryant was picked to finish second in the preseason poll put together by Ryan Peters, a longtime reporter covering the NEC. In addition to preseason player of the year honors, Kiss was also named to the five-member preseason All-NEC team. 

The Black and Gold are coming off one of their best seasons in program history in 2020-21. Bryant won 15 games for the second-straight year and advanced to the NEC Championship for the first time in program history. The Bulldogs, who finished second behind Wagner in last year's regular-season standings, hosted the championship game in the Chace Athletic Center. 

Kiss was a big part of Bryant's success last year as he poured in a team-high 16.6 points per game. He ranked sixth in the league in scoring and also ranked eighth in field goal percentage, 11th in assists, fourth in free throw percentage and sixth in steals. A USBWA All-District selection, Kiss started all 22 games and scored in double-figures in 20 of them. He finished with three double-doubles and also recorded the first triple-double in Bryant history, recording 12 points, 13 boards and 10 assists vs CCSU on Jan. 7.