Forrest, Johnson Named Preseason All-Sun Belt

NEW ORLEANS, La. -- Appalachian State junior guard Justin Forrest and senior forward Isaac Johnson have been named Preseason All-Sun Belt the league announced Friday.

Forrest was tabbed as Preseason Second Team All-Sun Belt and Johnson was named Preseason Third Team All-Sun Belt.

Last season, Forrest posted career highs in scoring average (16.2 ppg), shooting percentage (.407), rebounding (3.3 rpg) and assists (74). In 30 games (29 starts), he reached double figures in 24 contests, including two games of 32 points. He also had four or more assists in eight games, including a career-high six in two contests. He enters the 2019-20 season just 69 points shy of 1,000 for his career.

Johnson established himself as one of the top rebounders in the Sun Belt last season, finishing second in the conference at a career-high clip of 8.6. He also averaged a career-best 10.0 points and shot a career-high 51.2 percent from the field. He reached double figures in scoring 16 times, rebounding 12 times and had a team-high eight double-doubles. Johnson enters the season 248 points shy of 1,000 for his career and 255 rebounds shy of 1,000 for his career and can become the third player in program history to score 1,000 points and pull down 1,000 rebounds.

In the preseason coaches poll, the Mountaineers were selected to finish ninth, with South Alabama chosen to win the league.

App State tips the 2019-20 season under head coach Dustin Kerns on Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. at Michigan on the Big Ten Network. The Black and Gold return to Boone two days later and host Ferrum in its home opener at 7 p.m.

Season tickets and single game tickets for the 2019-20 season are on sale and can be purchased by calling the App State ticket office at 828-262-2079.

2019-20 SUN BELT CONFERENCE MEN'S BASKETBALL PRESEASON POLL & HONORS
Preseason All-Sun Belt First Team
Quan Jackson, Georgia Southern (RJr., G, Tallahassee, Fla.)³
Josh Ajayi, South Alabama (RSr., F, El Monte, Calif.)²
Trhae Mitchell, South Alabama (RSr., F, Austell, Ga.)³
Brian Warren, UTA (Sr., G, Indianapolis, Ind.)³
Nijal Pearson, Texas State (Sr., G, Beaumont, Texas)¹
 
Preseason All-Sun Belt Second Team
Justin Forrest, Appalachian State (Jr., G, Decatur, Ga.)
DeVante Jones, Coastal Carolina (So., G, New Orleans, La.)*
Ike Smith, Georgia Southern (RSr., G, Gainesville, Fla.)
Kane Williams, Georgia State (Jr., G, Douglasville, Ga.)
Michael Ertel, ULM (Jr., G, Indianapolis, Ind.)³
 
Preseason All-Sun Belt Third Team
Isaac Johnson, Appalachian State (Sr., F, Charlotte, N.C.)
Isaiah Crawley, Georgia Southern (Sr., F, Ripley, Tenn.)
Cedric Russell, Louisiana (Jr., G, Alexandria, La.)
JD Williams, ULM (Sr., G, Birmingham, Ala.)
Don Coleman, South Alabama (RSr., G, North Augusta, S.C.)
 
Preseason Player of the Year
Trhae Mitchell, South Alabama (RSr., F, Austell, Ga.)^3
 
12018-19 First Team All-Sun Belt selection
²2018-19 Second Team All-Sun Belt selection
³2018-19 Third Team All-Sun Belt selection
*2018-19 Sun Belt Freshman of the Year

Preseason Coaches' Poll
First-place votes in parentheses
1. South Alabama (8) - 138
2. UTA (2) - 124
3. Georgia Southern (1) - 121
4. Texas State (1) - 110
5. Louisiana - 92
6. Georgia State - 76
7. Coastal Carolina - 75
8. ULM - 72
9. Appalachian State - 40
10. Arkansas State - 33
11. Little Rock - 32
12. Troy - 22