Atlantic 10 Announces 2025–26 Men’s Basketball Awards and All-Conference Teams

Cardell Darrin Dudley Jr
42 minutes ago
4 min read

George Washington center Rafael Castro earns an All Conference selection for the second straight year

The regular season in the Atlantic 10 Conference delivered one of the league’s most competitive campaigns in recent memory, and when the dust settled, the conference’s top honors reflected both dominance and breakthrough performances across the league.

Leading the way was Robbie Avila, who captured Atlantic 10 Player of the Year after guiding Saint Louis Billikens to a share of the regular season title and the No. 1 seed entering the Atlantic 10 Men's Basketball Championship. Meanwhile, Steve Donahue of the Saint Joseph's Hawks was named Coach of the Year after orchestrating one of the program’s most impressive seasons in nearly two decades.

On the individual front, Nyk Lewis took home Rookie of the Year, while Terrence Hill Jr. had one of the league’s most remarkable rises, earning both Sixth Man of the Year and the Chris Daniels Most Improved Player Award.

Defensively, the conference honored a pair of relentless stoppers: Tyler Cochran of the Rhode Island Rams and Justice Ajogbor shared Defensive Player of the Year honors after anchoring elite defensive efforts for their respective teams.

Avila Anchors Saint Louis’ Dominant Run

Few players impacted winning across the Atlantic 10 the way Robbie Avila did this season. The 6-foot-10 senior from Oak Forest, Illinois served as the engine behind Saint Louis’ remarkable 27–4 overall record and 15–3 conference mark, helping the Billikens secure a share of the regular season crown.

Avila averaged 12.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game, while shooting an efficient 50.6 percent from the field and 42.3 percent from three-point range—numbers that highlight his unique skill set as a playmaking big man. His ability to facilitate offense, stretch defenses from the perimeter, and anchor the interior made him one of the league’s most difficult matchups.

His season featured several signature performances, including a 23-point outing against Duquesne in late February that also included seven rebounds, seven assists, and five made three-pointers. The Billikens opened the year by winning 24 of their first 25 games, marking one of the most successful stretches in program history.

Hill’s Breakout Year Fuels VCU

The biggest leap in the conference belonged to Terrence Hill Jr. of the VCU Rams. After playing a limited role as a freshman, Hill emerged as one of the league’s most dynamic guards in his sophomore campaign.

The 6-foot-3 combo guard averaged 14.1 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game, shooting 47 percent from the floor, 38 percent from three, and 87.3 percent at the free throw line. His scoring punch off the bench made him a constant spark for the Rams, highlighted by a career-high 24-point performance against Loyola Chicago that also included six rebounds and five assists.

Hill’s emergence gave VCU one of the league’s most dangerous backcourt weapons and earned him the rare distinction of claiming two individual awards in the same season.

Lewis Makes Immediate Impact for Rams

Freshman guard Nyk Lewis quickly established himself as one of the conference’s most promising young players.

The Washington, D.C. native and former Gonzaga standout, averaged 8.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game, while connecting on 40 three-pointers during his rookie season. Lewis was named A-10 Rookie of the Week four times, including after a career-high 19-point performance against Utah State.

He also recorded his first career double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds against Niagara, showcasing the versatility and toughness that made him a key contributor in VCU’s rotation.

Defensive Standouts Set the Tone

Defense remained a defining trait across the Atlantic 10, and no players embodied that identity more than Tyler Cochran and Justice Ajogbor.

Cochran, a 6-foot-4 guard who transferred from Toledo Rockets, led the conference with 2.7 steals per game while also pulling down 6.1 rebounds per contest for Rhode Island. His ability to pressure ball handlers and disrupt passing lanes consistently changed games.

Ajogbor, a 6-foot-10 rim protector from Benin City, Nigeria, served as the defensive backbone for Saint Joseph’s. He ranked second in the conference with 2.4 blocks per game, including a dominant six-block performance against VCU, anchoring the Hawks’ interior defense.

Donahue Guides Hawks Back to Contention

The Coach of the Year honor went to Steve Donahue, who stepped into the head coaching role at Saint Joseph’s less than two months before the season began. Despite the late transition, Donahue led the Hawks to a 21–10 overall record and a 13–5 mark in conference play.

The turnaround positioned Saint Joseph’s as the No. 3 seed in the Atlantic 10 Tournament, the program’s highest seeding since 2005 and a testament to the culture and structure Donahue quickly instilled.

2025–26 Atlantic 10 Major Awards

Player of the Year: Robbie Avila – Saint Louis
Co-Defensive Players of the Year: Tyler Cochran – Rhode Island / Justice Ajogbor – Saint Joseph’s
Rookie of the Year: Nyk Lewis – VCU
Chris Daniels Most Improved Player: Terrence Hill Jr. – VCU
Sixth Man of the Year: Terrence Hill Jr. – VCU
Coach of the Year: Steve Donahue – Saint Joseph’s