CHARLOTTE, N.C. (February 22, 2026) – The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association has announced 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 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 mark against divisional opponents, securing the division’s regular season championship.  

Leading that charge was Larry Howell, who earned Player of the Year recognition after a dominant season on both ends of the court. Claflin’s Alex Atkinson was named Defensive Player of the Year for his impact as a difference maker defensively and offensively, while Fayetteville State’s Ezekiel Cannedy secured Sixth Man of the Year honors for his key contributions off the bench. 

Virginia Union’s success this season was reflected on the sidelines as Jay Butler was selected Coach of the Year following a strong campaign that positioned the Panthers among the conference’s top teams. Elizabeth City State’s Donovan Flamer was named Rookie of the Year after emerging as one of the league’s most impressive first year players. 

Virginia State claimed the Northern Division regular season title 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, Claflin 

• Jacob Cooper, Virginia State 

• Larry Howell, Fayetteville State 

• Avery Huggins, Shaw 

• Myles Pierre, Bluefield State 

Second Team 

• Ezekiel Cannedy, Fayetteville State 

• Malachi Dark, Virginia Union 

• Bobby Gardner, Virginia Union 

• Jaiden McGhee, Bowie State 

• James Nipper, Livingstone 

Rookie Team 

• Amadou Fall, Lincoln University (PA) 

• Donovan Flamer, Elizabeth City State 

• Williams Hopkins, Virginia State 

• Julius Olanrewaju, Lincoln University (PA) 

• Charles Thomas III, Bowie State 

Men's Superlatives 

• Player of the Year: Larry Howell, Fayetteville State 

• Defensive Player of the Year: Alex Atkinson, Claflin 

• Sixth Man of the Year: Ezekiel Cannedy, Fayetteville State 

• Rookie of the Year: Donovan Flamer, Elizabeth City State 

• Coach of the Year: Jay Butler, Virginia Union 

Men's Division Champions 

• Northern Division Champion: Virginia State 

• Southern Division Champion: Fayetteville State 

Freddie Vaughn Academic Award Recipient 

• Lincoln University (PA) 

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 Bruni Martinez earned Player of the Year honors after leading one of the league’s most consistent teams throughout the season. 

Livingstone’s Breasia Coit was named Defensive Player of the Year for anchoring a strong defensive effort, while Virginia State’s Kendahl Spearman earned Sixth Man of the Year recognition for her production and impact in a reserve role. 

Winston-Salem State’s historic season brought additional honors, including Rookie of the Year recognition for Breonna Roaf after a standout debut campaign. Rams 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, Virginia Union 

• Breasia Coit, Livingstone 

• Ashari Lewis, Claflin 

• Jasmine Jenkins, Bluefield State  

• Talia Trotter, Fayetteville State 

Second Team 

• KaNyah O’Neal, Fayetteville State 

• Kendahl Spearman, Virginia State 

• Maia Charles, Winston-Salem State 

• Nevaeh Farmer, Winston-Salem State 

• Makayla Waleed, Winston-Salem State 

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 Superlatives 

• Player of the Year: Bruni Martinez, Virginia Union 

• Defensive Player of the Year: Breasia Coit, Livingstone 

• Sixth Man of the Year: Kendahl Spearman, Virginia State 

• Rookie of the Year: Breonna Roaf, Winston-Salem State 

• Coach of the Year: Tierra Terry, Winston-Salem 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 

Media Contact: 
Anna M. Butzlaff 
Associate Commissioner, Strategic Communications 
Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) 
abutzlaff@theciaa.com 

About the CIAA 
Founded in 1912, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) is the first, and longest running, African American athletic conference in the U.S. and one of the most recognized conferences in Division II. The CIAA conducts 14 championships attended by more than 150000 fans from around the country. The Basketball Tournament has been honored as a 2019 Champion of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism by Sports Destination Management, the leading publication with the largest circulation of sports event planners and tournament directors in the sports tourism market, for both 2018 and 2019. 

Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, the CIAA is governed by the Presidents and Chancellors of its 12 member institutions: Bowie State University, Bluefield State University, Claflin University, Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, Johnson C. Smith University, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Livingstone College, Shaw University, Virginia State University, Virginia Union University, and Winston-Salem State University. For more information on the CIAA, visit theciaa.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.