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WEST WINDSOR –A student athlete who made significant contributions to the men’s basketball program at ¾«¶«´«Ã½ (¾«¶«´«Ã½) during the 2009-10 and 2010-11 seasons has been nominated for a prestigious national award based on his contributions in the community.

Anthony Obery of Roselle, N.J., is one of 117 men’s college basketball players nominated for the 2014 Allstate National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Good Works Team. Obery, currently a senior guard averaging 14 points a game for the Felician College basketball team, was one of only 43 nominees from non-Division I colleges and the only nominee from the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference.

The Good Works Team honors players at all levels of collegiate basketball who "represent the sport’s finest in the areas of leadership and charitable achievements amongst their peers." The nominees are chosen by the NABC and Allstate Insurance Company.

Obery began his charitable and community service work at the age of 18, following the death of his mother. He said she served as his inspiration to get more involved, and most importantly, to give back.

"It all started from the death of my mom, when I took the knowledge from what she taught me," Obery said. "Her death made me want to push even harder, so I made a lifetime decision to go to college – not just for basketball, but to get an education."

At 18 Obery became a youth pastor at his church, United Deliverance Tabernacle in Newark, and continues to serve as a youth mentor in the area, providing on-call counseling services.

He also started a Big Brother program based out of his church and volunteers to visit sick members of the parish at local hospitals. With his father, Antoine, Obery established Obery’s Food Ministries, which feeds more than 500 families each Friday.  He is also a member of 100 Black Men of America, which works to improve the quality of life for African-American children and teens. 

While at Mercer Obery, a Criminal Justice major, helped the men’s team reach the Region 19 championship both seasons and advance to the NJCAA Division II National Championship in 2009. ¾«¶«´«Ã½ Men’s Basketball Coach Howard Levy recalls Obery’s growth during his time at Mercer and how this award demonstrates his commitment and character. 

"I'm so proud of Anthony and all of the progress he has made as a player and as a person," Levy said. "He made great strides in his two years at Mercer. His passion and caring were always apparent, and he willed himself into becoming a terrific player and a better person."

Likewise, Obery credits his time at Mercer for helping him grow as a student, and as a person.

"My years at ¾«¶«´«Ã½ gave me the opportunity to grow from that hard headed kid to a young man who has changed his life, and is now improving not just in school but helping others improve," Obery said. "Mercer has had a major impact on me because it molded me into the man I am today.

"My goal after this year is to become a mentor to kids who are looking for guidance and to encourage them and give back like people who gave back to me. I want to thank Mercer and the staff for giving me the opportunity to be a part of a great program."

The final roster of award recipients will be announced in February.