Redshirt junior center Jordan Threloff proved to be one of the most important additions to men’s basketball this season, earning him Sports’ No. 5 athlete of 2013-2014.

When Threloff transferred from Illinois State, he immediately bolstered the Huskies’ front court and became an impact player in the paint on both sides of the floor.

With the addition of Threloff, the Huskies played an inside-out style of offense, which played to Threloff’s strengths. He poured in 9.2 points per game and upped his scoring average in MAC play to 9.9 points per game.

“It’s completely opposite of what I was used to playing with at Illinois State, and it’s so much more fun to be an offensive threat,” Threloff said, according to a Feb. 18 Northern Star article. “I love being able to have that opportunity, and it’s really the perfect system for me and my style of play.”

Threloff became NIU’s best rebounder on the team, grabbing 223 total rebounds.

Defensively, Threloff was a force inside, altering shots and leading NIU with 33 blocks.

In the final 15 games of the season, Threloff put it all together as he dominated each and every game, nearly averaging a double-double, scoring 12.1 points per game while averaging 8.5 rebounds.