Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
UConn guard Silas Demary Jr. was named the 2026-27 BIG EAST Preseason Player of the Year. The league’s 11 head coaches selected him, and they were not permitted to vote for their own players.
Why Demary Jr. received the preseason honor
The BIG EAST announced the selection ahead of the 2026-27 season. Its award release cited Demary Jr.’s 2025-26 performance: he averaged 10.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game, with the conference identifying his assists average as the league’s best. He appeared in 39 of UConn’s 40 games.
Demary Jr. also earned 2025-26 All-BIG EAST first-team and All-Defensive team recognition, according to the conference. Those honors reflect the previous season; the preseason award is a separate selection looking ahead to 2026-27. The BIG EAST’s award announcement provides the selection and season statistics.
Recommended Free Tools
What “preseason Player of the Year” means
This is a forecast-season honor, not the eventual 2026-27 BIG EAST regular-season Player of the Year award. The preseason selection was made by the conference’s head coaches before the season; it does not establish who will win the award after play concludes.
#1 Best Overall
- Wilson NCAA Final Four Basketball - Size 7 - 29.5", Brown
- Deep Channels: Deeper channels between the panels of the ball allow for more grip points and better ball control when dribbling and shooting.
- Composite Leather: Composite leather provides a consistent texture facilitating better grip and ball control.
- High Definition Pebble - Improved Grip
- Premium Carcass Construction - Excellent rebound and durability
It is also distinct from the conference’s preseason coaches’ poll, which ranks teams rather than naming an individual player. The poll announcement says UConn was picked first, receiving eight first-place votes. That team ranking is context for the Huskies’ preseason outlook, not part of Demary Jr.’s individual award.
UConn’s history with the honor
UConn Athletics describes Demary Jr.’s selection as the school’s second BIG EAST Preseason Player of the Year honor since the Huskies returned to the conference ahead of the 2020-21 season. Adama Sanogo received the preseason distinction in 2022. UConn’s announcement also says the Huskies swept the conference’s two major preseason honors: Demary Jr. as Player of the Year and teammate Colben Landrew as Freshman of the Year. The university calls it the BIG EAST’s first such sweep since 2017-18 and UConn’s first since 2003; this refers to those two major honors, not every preseason distinction.
Rank #2
- Wilson NCAA Replica Basketball - Size 7 - 29.5"
The historical regular-season award is a different category. UConn’s last BIG EAST regular-season Player of the Year at the time of the announcement was Hasheem Thabeet in 2009. The university also noted Shabazz Napier’s 2014 American Athletic Conference Player of the Year award, which was an AAC honor, not a BIG EAST one.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Why published assist averages differ
The BIG EAST award release reports 5.9 assists per game for Demary Jr. in 2025-26 and says that led the conference. UConn’s player bio lists 6.0 assists per game overall and 7.4 in league games. These are figures published by different sources with different scopes; they should not be combined or treated as interchangeable.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Microfiber Composite Leather Cover - Wilson Game Balls are made with the highest quality composite leather cover; Exclusive microfiber composite leather with deep embossed pebbles provides the ultimate in feel and control
- Composite Laid-In Channels - Patented Aqua-Grip laid-in channels replace traditional rubber with pebbled composite leather to enhance gripability
- Cushion Core Technology - Patented Cushion Core Technology combines low-density sponge rubber and ultra-durable butyl rubber producing a basketball with a better grip and exceptional feel
- A great indoor basketball at a great price
- NFHS Approved
Rank #4
- Wilson NCAA Replica Basketball - Size 6 - 28.5"
Rank #3
- WILSON NCAA Evo NXT Indoor Game Basketball - Size 7 - 29.5"
- Extended Range Tech: Optimally balanced, super soft core construction generates more spin with less effort at any range and a softer touch around the rim.
- Micro-Touch Composite Leather: A Micro-Touch Cover provides an extra layer of grip and moisture management.
- Super Soft Core: Extra cushioning allows your fingers to dig deeper into the surface for better control and a softer feel, helping every player find the shooters touch.
- Composite Pebbled Channels: Composite channels are pebbled instead of smooth, creating a consistent texture over the entire surface of the ball for unparalleled control.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
