Oct. 22, 2008

WASHINGTON, DC-- Old Dominion University junior center Gerald Lee (Finland) was selected to the first team pre-season All-CAA squad according to a vote of the league's coaches, sports information directors and media. As a team, the Monarchs are picked to finish third in the league race.

The Monarchs return four starters from its 18-16 team that advanced to post-season play for the fourth year in a row. Junior center Gerald Lee (12.9 ppg/ 5.9rpg) was a second team All-CAA pick last year. Also returning to the Monarchs line-up are a talented group of sophomores who started 15 games last year as freshmen in guard/forward Ben Finney ( 7.0 ppg/ 5.0 rpg), point guard Darius James ( 7.0 ppg), and forward Frank Hassell ( 5.3 ppg/ 5.0 rpg).

The Monarchs have only one senior in Jonathan Adams(6.0ppg/4.1 rpg) and two juniors, Lee and 6-2 guard Marsharee Nely (3.0 ppg/1.2 rpg).

VCU, which returns three starters was picked to finish first followed by Northeastern who welcomes back five starters.

The Monarchs will be in action in the annual blue-white exhibition Sunday at 4:30 in the Ted Constant Convocation Center. Admission is free.

2008-09 CAA MEN'S BASKETBALL PREDICTION
1. VCU
2. Northeastern
3. ODU
4. George Mason
5. Delaware
6. Georgia State
7. Hofstra
8. W&M
9. James Madison
10. Towson
11. UNCW
12. Drexel

2008-09 CAA PRE-SEASON ALL CONFERENCE
First Team
Marc Egerson, Delaware
Matt Janning, NU
Gerald Lee, ODU
eric Maynor, VCU
Leonard Mendez, Georgia State

Second Team

Junior Harston, Towson
Abdulai Jalloh, JMU
Charles Jenkins, Hofstra
Larry Sanders, VCU
John Vaughan, Mason

Pre-Season Player of the Year: Eric Maynor, VCU.