CIAA HONORS, TOURNAMENT TOP SEEDS:
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) announced Sunday its 2026 Men’s and Women’s All-CIAA basketball teams along with its top conference honors following a regular season defined by competitive division races, late season momentum swings, and standout performances across the league as teams prepare for this week’s (February 24-28) tournament competition in Baltimore.
MEN’S HONORS AND ALL-CIAA SELECTIONS:
The men’s season featured strong performances throughout both divisions, highlighted by Fayetteville State’s run to the top of the Southern Division standings behind an undefeated 10-0 mark against divisional opponents, securing the division’s regular season championship.
Leading that charge was 6-6 senior swingman Larry Howell who earned player of the year recognition after a dominant season on both ends of the court (21.7 ppg.-1st, 6-5 rpg.-T7th, .448 FG-6th, .850 FT-1st). Six-ten Claflin sophomore center/forward Alex Atkinson was named Defensive Player of the Year for his impact as a difference maker defensively and offensively (13.3 ppg.-13th, .596 FG-1st, 9.0 rpg.-2nd, 1.6 bpg.-T8th), while FSU’s 6-2 senior guard Ezekiel Cannedy secured Sixth Man of the Year honors for his key contributions off the bench (18.1 ppg.-3rd, .404 FG-9th, .817 FT-3rd).
Virginia Union’s success this season was reflected on the on the court and on the sidelines as Jay Butler was selected Coach of the Year after leading the Panthers to a league-best 24-4 overall record that earned VUU as high as a No. 18 national ranking in the NABC Top 25. Elizabeth City State’s 6-9 freshman forward Donovan Flamer was named Rookie of the Year after emerging as one of the league’s most impressive first-year players (9.7 ppg., 5.4 rpg.).
By virtue of its 9-1 record Virginia State claimed the Northern Division regular season title over VUU (8-2) after another strong campaign, while Bluefield State returns looking to build on last year’s championship game appearance. Claflin and Johnson C. Smith finished near the top of the Southern Division standings, and Shaw, Livingstone, and Winston-Salem State remained competitive throughout a tightly contested race.
2026 MEN’S ALL-CIAA TEAMS
FIRST TEAM
Alex Atkinson, 6-10, So., F/C, CLAF; Jacob Cooper, 5-8, Sr., G, VSU; Larry Howell, 6-6, Sr., G/F, FSU; Avery Huggins, 6-6, Sr., F, SHAW; Myles Pierre, 6-1, Sr., G, BLST
SECOND TEAM
Ezekiel Cannedy, 6-2, Sr., G, FSU; Malachi Dark, 6-7, Jr., F, VUU; Bobby Gardner, 6-1, So., G, VUU; Jaiden McGhee, 6-5, Jr., F, BSU; James Nipper, 6-3, Jr., G, LIV
ROOKIE TEAM
Amadou Fall, 6-9, Fr., C, LINCP; Donovan Flamer, 6-9, Fr., F, ECSU; Williams Hopkins, 6-2, Fr., G, VSU; Julius Olanrewaju, 6-5, Fr., F, LINCP; Charles Thomas III, 6-6, Fr., F, BSU
COACH OF THE YEAR: Jay Butler, VUU
MEN’S DIVISION CHAMPIONS
Northern Division Champion: VSU
Southern Division Champion: FSU
FREDDIE VAUGHN ACADEMIC AWARD RECIPIENT
Lincoln (PA) University
WOMEN’S HONORS AND ALL-CIAA SELECTIONS:
The women’s season was marked by breakthrough storylines and standout individual play across the conference. Virginia Union’s six-foot, senior forward Bruni Martinez earned player of the year honors (14.2 ppg. – 3rd, 9.3 rpg. – 3rd, .475 FG – 3rd, 2.6 spg. – 7th) after leading one of the league’s most consistent teams throughout the season.
Livingstone 6-2 sophomore center Breasia Coit was named Defensive Player of the Year for anchoring a strong defensive effort (13.2 ppg., 12.2 rpg. – 1st, .493 FG – 1st, 2.1 bpg. – T3rd), while Virginia State 5-6 junior guard Kendahl Spearman earned Sixth Woman of the Year recognition for her production and impact in a reserve role (13.4 ppg. – 5th, .740 FT – 6th).
Winston-Salem State’s historic 23-3 season brought additional honors, including Rookie of the Year recognition for 5-7 freshman point guard Breonna Roaf after a standout debut campaign (5.8 ppg., 3.8 rpg., 2.3 spg.). WSSU head coach Tierra Terry was named Coach of the Year after guiding the program to a division leading finish following a season highlighted by significant improvement and consistent success.
In the divisional races, Winston-Salem State and Fayetteville State shared the Southern Division regular season title, while Bowie State secured the Northern Division championship after a steady and successful conference run. With multiple teams carrying confidence and momentum into postseason competition, the women’s field reflects the depth that defined the regular season.
2026 WOMEN’S ALL-CIAA TEAMS
FIRST TEAM
Bruni Martinez, 6-0, Sr., F, VUU; Breasia Coit, 6-2, So., C, LIV; Ashari Lewis, 5-9, Sr., F, CLAF; Jasmine Jenkins, 5-8, Sr., G, BLST; 5-5, Sr., F, FSU
SECOND TEAM
KaNyah O’Neal, 5-8, Jr.,G, FSU; Kendahl Spearman, 5-6, Jr., G, VSU; Maia Charles, 6-3, So., F, WSSU; Nevaeh Farmer, 5-4, Jr., F, WSSU; Makayla Waleed, 5-8, Sr.,G, WSSU
ROOKIE TEAM
Tionna Pettus, Elizabeth City State; Ah’Kiyah Pie, Winston-Salem State; Breonna Roaf, Winston-Salem State; Shayla Wyatt, Virginia State; Shanon Hoover, Bluefield State
WOMEN’S DIVISION CHAMPIONS
Northern Division Champion: Bowie State
Southern Division Co-Champions: Winston-Salem State and Fayetteville State
FREDDIE VAUGHN ACADEMIC AWARD RECIPIENT
Shaw University
