Photo by: Columbia University Athletics / Josh Wang
Rubio De La Rosa Named Nolan Richardson Award Finalist
3/13/2025 12:50:00 PM | Men's Basketball
The award is presented annually to a Division I player who is the heart and soul of his team and a leader on and off the court
BOSTON – Columbia men's basketball senior guard Geronimo Rubio De La Rosa has been named a Nolan Richardson Award Finalist, CollegeInsider.com announced on Thursday.
Rubio De La Rosa led the Lions in points per game (17.0) for the third straight year. The Santiago, Dominican Republic native scored double fiigures in 17 out of 20 games played in 2024-25.
This season, Rubio De La Rosa was a three-time Ivy League Player of the Week, two-time Lou Henson National Player of the Week, USBWA Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week, Mid-Major Madness Player of the Week, and Dick Vitale National Player of the Week. Rubio De La Rosa was also named to the Lou Henson Award Early-Season Watch List.
On Nov. 23 vs. Stony Brook, Rubio De La Rosa dropped a career-high 37 points, setting a Levien Gym record and a career high with in three-pointers made (nine). He also tied the Levien Gym record for points scored by a Lion, matching Mike Smith, Buck Jenkins, and C.J. Thompkins' 37-point performances. From the floor, Rubio De La Rosa was 14-18 (.778) from inside the arc and 9-13 (.692) from three-point range.
Rubio De La Rosa finished his Lions career with 1,414 points, which ranks eighth on Columbia's all-time scoring list.
The Nolan Richardson award is named in honor of one of the true legends of the game. His frenetic style of fast-break basketball, with full-court pressure, helped him become the only coach to win NJCCA, NIT and NCAA National Championships. After winning a junior college national championship at Western Texas College, Richardson led Tulsa to the NIT Championship in his first season at the helm. He averaged 24 wins per season in his five years at Tulsa, leading the Golden Hurricanes to three NCAA Tournament appearances.
The recipient of the annual award is determined by a 10-member voting committee, which consists of current and former head coaches, as well as two senior staff members of collegeinsider.com.
The 2025 award will be announced in San Antonio, TX, the site of the men's Division I Basketball Championship.
Follow The Lions
For the latest on Columbia men's basketball, follow @CULionsMBB on X, Instagram or on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.
Rubio De La Rosa led the Lions in points per game (17.0) for the third straight year. The Santiago, Dominican Republic native scored double fiigures in 17 out of 20 games played in 2024-25.
This season, Rubio De La Rosa was a three-time Ivy League Player of the Week, two-time Lou Henson National Player of the Week, USBWA Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week, Mid-Major Madness Player of the Week, and Dick Vitale National Player of the Week. Rubio De La Rosa was also named to the Lou Henson Award Early-Season Watch List.
On Nov. 23 vs. Stony Brook, Rubio De La Rosa dropped a career-high 37 points, setting a Levien Gym record and a career high with in three-pointers made (nine). He also tied the Levien Gym record for points scored by a Lion, matching Mike Smith, Buck Jenkins, and C.J. Thompkins' 37-point performances. From the floor, Rubio De La Rosa was 14-18 (.778) from inside the arc and 9-13 (.692) from three-point range.
Rubio De La Rosa finished his Lions career with 1,414 points, which ranks eighth on Columbia's all-time scoring list.
The Nolan Richardson award is named in honor of one of the true legends of the game. His frenetic style of fast-break basketball, with full-court pressure, helped him become the only coach to win NJCCA, NIT and NCAA National Championships. After winning a junior college national championship at Western Texas College, Richardson led Tulsa to the NIT Championship in his first season at the helm. He averaged 24 wins per season in his five years at Tulsa, leading the Golden Hurricanes to three NCAA Tournament appearances.
The recipient of the annual award is determined by a 10-member voting committee, which consists of current and former head coaches, as well as two senior staff members of collegeinsider.com.
The 2025 award will be announced in San Antonio, TX, the site of the men's Division I Basketball Championship.
Follow The Lions
For the latest on Columbia men's basketball, follow @CULionsMBB on X, Instagram or on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.
Players Mentioned
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