The GSAC has announced the 2025-26 GSAC Men’s Basketball All-Conference Team and individual award winners, presented by Under Armour. The honors recognize outstanding performances during the regular season, as selected by the conference’s head coaches.

Player of the Year
Nick Hopkins, Hope International (Sr., G – Los Angeles, Calif.)
Senior guard Nick Hopkins was named GSAC Player of the Year after leading Hope International to a share of the regular season title and a 23-5 overall record (13-3 GSAC). Hopkins ranked fourth in the conference in total points (450) and fifth in scoring average (16.1 ppg), while leading the GSAC in free throws made (155) and free throw attempts (240).

Hopkins started all 28 games and averaged 30.4 minutes per contest. He added 5.9 rebounds per game (7th in GSAC), 64 assists, 25 steals, and 16 blocks, impacting the game on both ends of the floor. In conference play, he averaged 16.9 points and 6.6 rebounds per game. His consistent production and leadership were central to Hope International’s success throughout the season.

Co-Defensive Players of the Year
Ese Onakpoma, Arizona Christian (Sr., G – Naugatuck, Conn.)
Matur Dhal, Embry-Riddle (Gr., C – Rumbek, South Sudan)
Onakpoma anchored Arizona Christian’s defensive effort while also ranking among the league’s top scorers. He averaged 16.1 points per game and finished sixth in the GSAC in steals (40) and sixth in blocks (28). He also ranked third in field goals made (150) and fourth in total points (450). Onakpoma’s ability to defend multiple positions and create turnovers made him one of the conference’s most disruptive players.

Dhal emerged as one of the top rim protectors in the NAIA. The graduate center ranked second in the GSAC in total blocks (47) and first in conference-only games (26). He led the league in conference field goal percentage at 71.3 percent and finished second overall at 66.3 percent. Dhal averaged 9.2 points and 5.3 rebounds per game while providing a consistent interior presence for Embry-Riddle.

Freshman of the Year
Aman Haynes, Hope International (Fr., F – Long Beach, Calif.)
Aman Haynes delivered one of the most efficient freshman seasons in the conference. Haynes ranked third in the GSAC in total points (458) and fourth in scoring average (16.4 ppg). He led the conference in total field goals made (180) and ranked third in field goal percentage (64.7 percent).

Haynes also contributed on the glass, averaging 6.4 rebounds per game (7th in GSAC), and ranked fifth in total rebounds (178). In conference play, he averaged 17.3 points per game. His scoring efficiency and versatility were key components of Hope International’s championship run.

Newcomer of the Year
Isaiah Howard, Benedictine Mesa (Jr., G – Seattle, Wash.)
Isaiah Howard made an immediate impact in his first season at Benedictine Mesa. The junior guard ranked third in the GSAC in assists (110) and fifth in steals (45), while averaging 14.3 points per game. He started 27 of 28 contests and averaged 29.2 minutes per game.

Howard also averaged 5.0 rebounds per contest and shot 39.3 percent from three-point range. In conference play, he averaged 15.6 points and 4.0 assists per game, helping Benedictine Mesa remain in contention throughout the season.

Coach of the Year
Bill Czech, Hope International
Bill Czech was named GSAC Coach of the Year after guiding Hope International to a 23-5 overall record and a 13-3 conference mark, earning a share of the regular season title. The Royals finished 15-1 at home and won three straight to close the regular season. Under Czech’s leadership, Hope International placed three players on the All-Conference Team, including the Player and Freshman of the Year.

The 2025-26 GSAC Men’s Basketball All-Conference Team reflects the balance and depth across the league, with six institutions represented among the 11 honorees. Arizona Christian and Hope International each placed three players on the team, while Benedictine Mesa earned two selections. Embry-Riddle, OUAZ, and The Master’s each added one honoree. The group features a strong senior presence with seven upperclassmen, alongside one sophomore and one freshman, highlighting both veteran leadership and emerging talent. Collectively, the team includes many of the conference’s statistical leaders in scoring, rebounding, assists, and defensive categories, underscoring the competitive nature of the 2025-26 season.

2026 GSAC MEN'S BASKETBALL ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM

POS	PLAYER	SCHOOL	YR	HOMETOWN
G	Shaud Bradley	Arizona Christian	JR	Sacramento, Calif.
C	Jay Lee	Arizona Christian	SR	Las Vegas, Nev.
G	Ese Onakpoma	Arizona Christian	SR	Naugatuck, Conn.
G	Eric Blackwell	Benedictine Mesa	SR	Phoenix, Ariz.
G	Isaiah Howard	Benedictine Mesa	JR	Seattle, Wash.
G	Noah Gifft	Embry-Riddle	SO	Surprise, Ariz.
F	Aman Haynes	Hope International	FR	Long Beach, Calif.
G	Nick Hopkins	Hope International	SR	Los Angeles, Calif.
F	Zeke Viuhkola	OUAZ	SR	West Linn, Ore.
G	Avery Jackson	The Master's	SR	Dallas, Texas
F	Tiago Soares	The Master's	SR	São Paulo, Brazil

Player of the Year:

G – Nick Hopkins, Hope International (SR, Los Angeles, Calif.)

Co-Defensive Players of the Year:

G – Ese Onakpoma, Arizona Christian (SR, Naugatuck, Conn.)

C – Matur Dhal, Embry-Riddle (GR, Rumbek, South Sudan)

Freshman of the Year:

F – Aman Haynes, Hope International (FR, Long Beach, Calif.)

Newcomer of the Year:

G – Isaiah Howard, Benedictine Mesa (JR, Seattle, Wash.)

Coach of the Year:

Bill Czech, Hope International