2025-26 Men's Basketball All-Conference Awards Released

The Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) has announced its 2025-26 Men's Basketball awards. All-Conference teams are selected by a vote of conference head coaches. First and Second Teams consist of 10 members each. Individual awards include Player of the Year, Newcomer of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, and Champion of Character Coach.

Player of the Year: Jaxson Fugate, Indiana Tech

Indiana Tech sophomore Jaxson Fugate put together a stellar season for the Warriors. The Fort Wayne native appeared in 27 games, averaging 20.3 points per contest, good for third in the conference on 59% shooting from the field. He was also a standout on the glass, averaging eight rebounds per game and pulling down 217 on the season. Showing his ability on both ends of the court, Fugate was second in the WHAC in blocked shots with 46 and also tallied 29 steals. Fugate becomes the fourth Indiana Tech men's basketball player to earn Player of the Year honors. 

Defensive Player of the Year & Newcomer of the Year: Tymias Williams, Rochester Christian University

Williams has been a force in all facets of the game for Rochester Christian University (RCU) this season. The junior appeared in 27 games, averaging 18.7 points, on 50% shooting from the field. His defensive prowess included 68 steals (1st in the WHAC), 37 blocked shots (5th) and 215 rebounds, 155 of which came on the defensive glass. Williams becomes the first RCU player to earn Defensive Player of the Year honors and just the second to claim Newcomer of the Year accolades. 

Coach of the Year: Noel Emenhiser, Madonna University

For the third time in his career and second time in the last three seasons, Madonna head coach Noel Emenhiser has been selected by his peers as the WHAC Men's Basketball Coach of the Year. Emenhiser led the Crusaders to a WHAC regular season title with an 18-4 mark in conference play and 21-7 record overall. The Crusaders lead the conference in points per game (89.1), three-point percentage (37.7%), and field goal percentage (49.4). Madonna has punched its ticket to the NAIA National Championships as a result and will also be the top seed with home court advantage in the 2026 WHAC tournament. 

Champion of Character Coach: Jake DuPree, Lourdes University

Lourdes Head Coach Jake DuPree was selected by his peers as the Men's Basketball Champion of Character Coach. This award goes to the coach who best models the NAIA's Core Values of integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership. This is his first time earning his honor in just his second season as head coach. 

In addition to the All-Conference awards, the WHAC also announced its All-Academic and Champions of Character teams. The All-Academic Team consists of sophomores or above with a cumulative 3.25 GPA who have been at their school for one full year. The Champions of Character Team comprises one player from each school who best represents the five core character values of integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership.