With the announcement of the 2025-26 Preseason All-NEC Men’s Basketball Team on Monday, two unanimous selections were made, and the Sharks were selected as the preseason favorite by the league’s head coaches.
Mercyhurst made a strong impression in its debut last season and made fourth place accolades. Mercyhurst is now eligible for the NEC tournament.
If Mercyhurst or Le Moyne win in the NEC Tournament championship, the runner up will advance to the NCAA Tournament as the automatic qualifier.
Malachi Davis of Scarborough was the first 2024-25 selection with fellow Canadian classmate Jamal Fuller of Toronto as a swingman who has come off of an All-NEC second team campaign just a year ago have both joined 2024-25 All-Rookie team honorees.
Central Connecticut sophomore forward Darin Smith Jr. and Stonehill guard Hermann Koffi. Mercyhurst graduate guard Bernie Blunt III finished out the five-member team.
Expectations for Davis were high after his LIU debut last season, after a stint at Arizona State, the Toronto native was the centerpiece after quickly establishing himself as the squads go-to scorer and one of the toughest covers.
With shredding defenses and ability to make it to the rim, Davis finished the 2024-25 campaign as the second-leading scorer, bringing grit to a team that was first in the steal rate as well as the turnover rate and defensive efficiency.
Fuller overpowered defenders on the court and brought forth a versatile handful to guard with his ability to stretch the floor, gaining 36 three-pointer and in addition became the Sharks’ second-leading rebounder.
The 2024-25 NEC Player of the Year, the reigning NEC Defensive Player of the Year and another all-star made contributions off the bench for the regular season champion.
Koffi became a confident shooter during the game and did not shy away from knocking away shots. He was on the opposing team’s radar as a key offensive threat.