Greenville, S.C. – Furman's
Alex Wilkins is one of 30 finalists for the 2026 Lou Henson Award, which is given annually to the NCAA Division I mid-major player of the year, it was announced on Thursday by CollegeInsider.com.
Wilkins, a native of Mattapan, Mass., received most outstanding player honors while leading Furman to its second Southern Conference Tournament title in four seasons this past weekend. The point guard averaged 21.7 points per game in three tournament outings, including a career-best 34 points in the Paladins' semifinal round win over UNC Greensboro. His 34-point performance tied Jonathan Moore's school freshman record of 34 points, which he established versus Georgia during the 1976-77 season. Wilkins' 34 points marked the most by a Paladin in SoCon Tournament play since Roy Simpson netted 36 versus East Carolina in the 1972 championship game.
For the season, Wilkins has averaged 17.7 points and 4.7 assists per game while starting all 34 contests for the Paladins en route to earning second team All-SoCon accolades. His 601 points this season represent the most ever by a Paladin freshman. Through 34 games, he has reached double figures 28 times and scored 20 or more points 13 times.
The Lou Henson award honors the former Illinois and New Mexico State head coach who won 775 games in 41 seasons.
Coach Henson is the winningest coach in Illinois basketball history with 423 victories. During his 21 seasons (1975-1996), Henson led the Fighting Illini to 16 postseason appearances, including 12 NCAA tournaments and a Final Four appearance in 1989.
Henson, who is also the all-time winningest coach in New Mexico State history with 289 victories, is one of only 11 coaches to take two different schools to the NCAA Final Four. His teams have made 19 NCAA appearances and four NIT appearances.
Coach Henson passed away on July 25, 2020.
The recipient of the annual award is determined by a 10-member voting committee, which consists of current and former head coaches, as well as two senior staff members of collegeinsider.com.
The 2026 award will be announced in Indianapolis, IN, site of the men's Division I Basketball Championship.
LOU HENSON AWARD FINALISTS
| Austin Benigni |
5-11 |
Sr. |
Navy |
| Zach Cleveland |
6-7 |
Sr. |
Liberty |
| Dominique Daniels, Jr. |
5-10 |
Sr. |
California Baptist |
| Cruz Davis |
6-3 |
Jr. |
Hofstra |
| Josiah Davis |
6-3 |
Sr. |
CSUN |
| Brett Decker |
6-3 |
So. |
Liberty |
| Quinn Denker |
6-3 |
Sr. |
Northern Colorado |
| Gavin Doty |
6-5 |
So. |
Siena |
| Logan Duncomb |
6-10 |
Sr. |
Winthrop |
| Kyle Evans |
6-10 |
Sr. |
UC Irvine |
| Delrecco Gillespie |
6-8 |
Sr. |
Kent State |
| Bryce Harris |
6-4 |
Sr. |
Howard |
| Jackson Holcombe |
6-7 |
So. |
Utah Valley |
| Camren Hunter |
6-3 |
Sr. |
Central Arkansas |
| Jaquan Johnson |
5-11 |
So. |
Bradley |
| Tavari Johnson |
6-0 |
Sr. |
Akron |
| Aidan Kehoe |
6-11 |
Sr. |
Navy |
| Kevair Kennedy |
6-2 |
Fr. |
Merrimack |
| Tyler Lundblade |
6-5 |
Sr. |
Belmont |
| Terri Miller |
6-8 |
Sr. |
Portland State |
| Nolan Minessale |
6-5 |
So. |
St. Thomas MN |
| Paulius Murauskas |
6-8 |
Jr. |
Saint Mary's |
| Darin Smith, Jr. |
6-7 |
So. |
Central Connecticut State |
| Peter Suder |
6-5 |
Sr. |
Miami OH |
| Cedric Taylor III |
6-7 |
Jr. |
Howard |
| Keon Thompson |
6-1 |
Sr. |
Stephen F. Austin |
| Nick Townsend |
6-7 |
Sr. |
Yale |
| Patrick Wesler |
7-1 |
Jr. |
UNCW |
| Nasir Whitlock |
6-2 |
Jr. |
Lehigh |
| Alex Wilkins |
6-5 |
Fr. |
Furman |
PREVIOUS AWARD WINNERS
Brian Moore, Jr., Norfolk State (20250; Trey Townsend, Oakland (2024); Jordan Brown (2023); Malachi Smith, Chattanooga (2022); Max Abmas, Oral Roberts (2021); Nathan Knight, William & Mary (2020); Fletcher Magee, Wofford (2019); Clayton Custer, Loyola Chicago (2018); Justin Robinson, Monmouth (2017); Thomas Walkup, Stephen F. Austin (2016); Ty Greene, USC Upstate (2015); Langston Hall, Mercer (2014); Matthew Dellavedova, Saint Mary's (2013); Kyle O'Quinn, Norfolk State (2012); Matt Howard, Butler (2011), Keith Benson, Oakland (2010).
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