NAPERVILLE, Ill. — Carthage College men's basketball student-athlete Julian Campbell was named this year's College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) First-Year Student-Athlete of the Year announced by the league on Monday. In addition, the men's team collected three all-conference honors, and student-athlete Luke Barach was named the CCIW RESPECT award winner. 

Campbell, a first-year from Lansing, Ill., averaged 12.1 points per game and grabbed 113 rebounds this season. Campbell had season-highs in points (23) against North Park on January 1 and rebounds (11) versus Augustana (Ill.) on February 4. Campbell is the first Carthage student-athlete to win the award since Brad Perry won it in 2017. 

Senior guard Fillip Bulatovic was named to the CCIW all-conference first-team list as a unanimous selection. Bulatovic, from Harwood Heights, Ill., recorded season-bests in points (29) against Greenville, rebounds (12), and assists (9) at home against Millikin. Bulatovic is third in the conference in points per game (16.8), fourth in rebounds per game (8.2), and fourth in assists per game (4.1). Bulatoivc has been named to the CCIW all-conference list the past three seasons. 

Sophomore guard AJ Johnson came away with a second-team all-conference selection. Johnson, from Oswego, Ill., posted a season-best 30 points in an 87-62 win over Maranatha Baptist on January 31. Johnson also grabbed 15 rebounds against Marian (Wis.) on November 19 and six three-pointers made during their trip to Florida against New England College. In the conference, Johnson is fifth in points per game (14.9) and third in three-point percentage (.423). The 14.9 points per game for Johnson is second on the team. 

Classmate Antuan Nesbitt landed on the second-team all-conference list along with Johnson. Nesbitt, from Milwaukee, Wis., led the Firebirds in assists with 4.8 per game, which was third in the conference. Nesbitt had season-bests in points (25) and rebounds (11) against Carroll (Wis.) on January 25 while tallying 14 assists against Greenville on December 31. The 14 assists for Nesbitt were the second-most in the Carthage record books for a single game. 

Senior Luke Barach was this year's CCIW RESPECT award winner for Carthage. Every sports season's conclusion, each varsity program will recognize one student-athlete as their RESPECT Award honoree. RESPECT Award recipients have distinguished themselves as an integral member of the team, their institution and community by upholding the values of Responsibility, Enthusiasm, Service, Pride, Excellence, Collaboration and Trust. The RESPECT Award recognizes the intangible traits a student-athlete possesses that exemplify great character and encourages inclusiveness and a positive culture.

Carthage begins the CCIW Men's Basketball Tournament on Tuesday, February 21, at 7 p.m. facing Illinois Wesleyan at home.