March 11, 2008
Complete Release and Rankings in PDF Format 
OREM, UTAH - North Carolina Central University senior forward Charles Futrell has been named to the 2007-08 Division I Men's Basketball All-Independent Team, as voted upon by Division I independent head coaches and sports information directors.
Futrell, a native of Fayetteville, N.C., currently leads the Eagles in scoring (16.3 ppg), rebounding (7.3 rpg), blocked shots (0.9 bpg), steals (1.7 spg), field goal percentage (.479), free throw percentage (.713), and is one of the nation's leaders in minutes played (37.0 avg.). He received All-Independent Second Team recognition.
Among Division I independent leaders, Futrell ranks fourth in scoring, third in rebounding, fifth in blocked shots and sixth in steals.
During NCCU's first year of Division I and playing one of the toughest schedules in the nation, Futrell scored a career-high 34 points at Norfolk State (Jan. 7) and recorded 17 points and 6 rebounds at Duke (Nov. 9); 17 points, 6 rebounds and 6 steals at Rutgers (Nov. 12); 15 points and 13 rebounds at UNC Wilmington (Dec. 16); 23 points and 10 rebounds at East Carolina (Jan. 5); 28 points and 10 rebounds versus Coppin State (Jan. 16); and 20 points and 9 rebounds at Towson (Nov. 27). He was also voted to the Drake University Invitational All-Tournament Team and the NCCU BC Powder Classic All-Tournament Team.
NCCU junior guard Bryan Ayala received Division I All-Independent Honorable Mention recognition after leading the team in assists (115), three-point field goals made (43) and free throws made (102).
Among Division I independent leaders, Ayala ranks 10th in scoring (13.2 ppg), third in assists (4.0 apg), and seventh in steals (1.6 spg).
Ayala's season highlights include 26 points and 3 steals at Creighton (Dec. 20); 23 points and four assists at Univ. of Florida (Nov. 14); 26 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 steals at Norfolk State (Jan. 7); 18 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds and 2 steals at Duke (Nov. 19); 23 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists at Western Carolina (Dec. 5); 21 points, 7 assists and 3 rebounds at Coppin State (Jan. 30); and 19 points and 3 rebounds at Rutgers (Nov. 12).
In just three seasons, Ayala currently ranks fourth on the school's career assists list with 291, and fourth on the school's career steals list with 147.
NCCU has one game remaining in its inaugural season as a Division I program. On Saturday, March 15, the Eagles will face rival Winston-Salem State University in a "bonus game" during championship day of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Tournament inside the RBC Center in Raleigh, N.C. at 4:30 p.m.
Utah Valley's Ryan Toolson was voted as the NCAA Division I Independent Player of the Year, while Texas-Pan American coach Tom Schuberth won Independent Coach of the Year, Al'Lonzo Coleman from Presbyterian College was named Newcomer of the Year and Jordan Brady of Utah Valley was tabbed as Defensive Player of the Year.
Toolson and Brady were joined by Chicago State star David Holston on the All-Independent First Team. Toolson edged Holston by just two votes for Player of the Year honors. Texas-Pan American guard Paul Stoll and Longwood forward Kirk Williams joined the aforementioned three to make up the First Team All-Independent squad.
New Jersey Institute of Technology's Nesho Milosevic joined Chicago State's John Cantrell, UTPA's Zach Trader, Futrell and Coleman on the All-Independent Second Team.
