Led by Jean-Baptiste, Brooklyn College had its best season on the hardwood in a quarter-century. As the leading scorer in the CUNYAC, Jean-Baptiste poured in better than 22 points per game. In five games during the month of February, he bettered that total, contributing 25.4 points per game. He was also a force on the glass, leading the Bridges in rebounding for the month with 8.6 caroms per contest. For his stellar efforts throughout the season, Jean-Baptiste was named CUNYAC / Con Edison Men’s Basketball Player of the Year. Head coach Steve Podias was impressed with Jean-Baptiste’s month, saying, “Richard took his game to a new level. He was key in our four consecutive wins to begin the month.”
Richard, who played for legendary coach Jim Gatto at St. John’s Prep, is a Queens native. He is a sophomore Physical Education major. His older brother is Brooklyn College assistant coach Jeffrey Jean-Baptiste, who scored move than 1,300 points when he played for Bridges from 1997-2001.
