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2025-26 BIG EAST All-Conference Teams Announced

3/9/2026, 2:28:52 AM

Overview of All-BIG EAST Selections

The BIG EAST Conference has officially announced its All-Conference Teams for the 2025-26 season, highlighting standout players from its member schools. The selections were made by the league's head coaches, who were prohibited from voting for their own players, ensuring an unbiased process.

Historic First Team Selections

Leading the All-BIG EAST First Team is Zuby Ejiofor from St. John's, who received unanimous support. This marks his second consecutive selection to the first team. Notably, the University of Connecticut (UConn) achieved a historic feat with three players on the first team: Silas Demary Jr., Alex Karaban, and Tarris Reed Jr. The complete First Team includes:

  • Zuby Ejiofor (St. John's)
  • Silas Demary Jr. (UConn)

Ejiofor, who was also the Preseason Player of the Year, led St. John's in several statistical categories during conference play, averaging 17.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.8 blocked shots per game.

Notable Performances from First Team Members

Silas Demary Jr. led the BIG EAST in assists with an average of 7.3 per game and ranked sixth in steals (1.6). Alex Karaban averaged 12.5 points and became UConn’s all-time winningest player. Tarris Reed Jr. ranked among national leaders in field goal percentage, making 63.5% of his shots, while Michael Ajayi finished the season sixth in scoring (16.3 points per game) and first in rebounding (10.5). Tre Carroll averaged 18.6 points with over 52% shooting from the field.

All-BIG EAST Second and Third Teams

The All-BIG EAST Second Team features notable guards and players, including:

  • Jaylin Sellers (Providence)
  • Bryce Hopkins (St. John's)
  • Acaden Lewis (Villanova)

The All-BIG EAST Third Team includes six players due to a tie in voting:

  • Nigel James Jr. (Marquette)
  • Dillon Mitchell (St. John's)
  • Duke Brennan (Villanova)
  • Tyler Perkins (Villanova)

Freshman and Defensive Teams

The All-Freshman Team features five standout newcomers, four of whom were unanimous selections:

  • Nigel James Jr. (Marquette)
  • Jamier Jones (Providence)
  • Stefan Vaaks (Providence)
  • Acaden Lewis (Villanova)

The inaugural All-Defensive Team is headlined by Zuby Ejiofor, alongside:

  • Dillon Mitchell (St. John's)
  • Silas Demary Jr. (UConn)

Upcoming Awards and Implications

The BIG EAST will announce its Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, Freshman of the Year, and Scholar-Athlete of the Year on March 11 at Madison Square Garden. Other awards, including Defensive Player of the Year and Most Improved Player, will be revealed on March 9. The recognition of these standout players and teams is expected to influence recruitment and team dynamics for the following season, setting the stage for an exciting postseason.