Appalachian State senior forward Donte Minter has been named to the collegeinsider.com Mid-Major Preseason All-America Team announced by the website Wednesday. One of 25 players to earn the honor, Minter is coming off an impressive debut season with the Mountaineers last season.

Minter, who became eligible to compete in mid-Decemeber last season, averaged 11.5 and 5.0 rebounds last season in just under 20 minutes of action per outing. With Minter in the lineup, the Apps amassed a 20-4 record en route to a school-record 25 victories.

The San Juan Shooutout co-MVP showed his all-America mettle in ASU’s biggest games, including scoring 27 points against Vanderbilt, 25 points, 10 rebounds and ASU’s final 10 points in the win at VCU and 20 points in Southern Conference Tournament semifinals. He also burst onto the national scene with 19 points on 9-of-11 shooting in the nationally televised win at Wichita State.

Minter is one of two SoCon representatives on the squad and is joined by UNC Greensboro’s Kyle Hines. The all-America team is selected by a combination of Division I head coaches, NBA scouts and the collegeinsder.com staff.

The 2007-08 collegeinsider.com Mid-Major All-America Team
Adrian Banks G 6-3 Sr. Arkansas State
Tristan Blackwood G 6-0 Sr. Central Connecticut State
Gerald Brown G 6-4 Sr. Loyola (MD)
Brandon Cotton G 6-0 Sr. Detroit
Jeremy Crouch G 6-5 Sr. Bradley
Frank Elegar C 6-9 Sr. Drexel
Randal Falker C 6-7 Sr. Southern Illinois
A.J. Graves G 6-1 Sr. Butler
Justin Hare G 6-2 Sr. Belmont
Alex Harris G 6-6 Sr. UC Santa Barbara
Kyle Hines F 6-6 Sr. UNC Greensboro
Courtney Lee G/F 6-5 Sr. Western Kentucky
Bo McCalebb G 6-0 Sr. New Orleans
Tywain McKee G 6-2 Sr. Coppin State
Donte Minter F 6-8 Sr. Appalachian State
Courtney Pigram G 6-1 Jr. East Tennessee State
Tim Pollitz G 6-6 Sr. Miami (Ohio)
Arizona Reid F 6-5 Sr. High Point
Daniel Ruffin G 5-10 Sr. Bradley
Andrew Strait F 6-8 Sr. Montana
Diamon Simpson F 6-7 Jr. Saint Mary’s
Will Thomas F 6-7 Sr. George Mason
Giordan Watson G 5-10 Sr. Central Michigan
Reggie Williams F 6-5 Sr. VMI
Ryan Wittman G/F 6-6 So. Cornell

Volleyball
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — After becoming Appalachian State’s all-time leader in kills, senior Dianna Thomas was named the Southern Conference Student-Athlete of the Week.

Thomas had a strong week for the Mountaineers, which went 3-0 for the week with marquee wins at Furman and College of Charleston. Thomas posted 39 kills for the week, with a .421 hitting percentage. The senior also contributed six aces, 45 digs, and a block per game.

Thomas, a right side hitter from Mobile, Ala. has a 4.0 grade point average in exercise science.

The Mountaineers host Elon Friday at 7 p.m., and UNC Greensboro Saturday at 2 p.m.