Colleges: Anna Maria's Mike Rapoza wastes no time hitting rebounding milestone

Anna Maria center Mike Rapoza of Charlton entered the season needing 19 rebounds to become the first AmCats player with 1,000 in his career, and he reached the milestone rather quickly.

After pulling down 11 rebounds in AMC’s opener against Babson, Rapoza had 19 boards the next day against Salem State and entered Anna Maria history as the only player with 1,000 career points and 1,000 career rebounds. Rapoza accomplished that same feat during his standout career at Shepherd Hill Regional.

“It’s amazing,” Rapoza said. “It’s crazy to look back at all the players who have played at Anna Maria. You look at the hall of fame, you look at the 1,000-point banner, and to think I’m the only one with 1,000 rebounds so far is crazy.”

With 1,384 career points, Rapoza ranks seventh all time at Anna Maria. John Patraitis scored a program-record 2,434 points during his career at AMC.

Rapoza earned his bachelor’s degree in education in three years and he's using his final season of playing eligibility while pursuing his master’s degree. While taking graduate classes, he is also working full time as New England director for Swarm AAU basketball.

Rapoza ultimately wants to teach and coach, and Anna Maria coach Shawn Conrad believes Rapoza will be great at both.

“Having him is like having a coach on the floor,” Conrad said. “New players come along more quickly because of him.”

—Contact Jennifer Toland at jennifer.toland@telegram.com. Follow her on Twitter @JenTandG.