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Bridgewater, NJ -- As March rolls in, it’s time to celebrate the ballers who raised the bar this season in Northeast Conference (NEC) men’s hoops.
We’re talking about the #NECelite.
Taking center stage is a game-changing talent who proved to be the heartbeat of a team with championship aspirations.
It’s been 14 years since a Central Connecticut player claimed NEC Player of the Year honors, but senior guard
Jordan Jones (Florence, NC/Trinity-Byrnes Collegiate School (Coker)) changed that, winning the coveted award after helping power the Blue Devils to the NEC regular-season title and the top seed in the NEC Tournament.
But Jones wasn’t flying solo on the awards’ stand.
Joining him was CCSU classmate
Abdul Momoh (Carteret, NJ/The Patrick School), a shot-blocking force who was named NEC Defensive Player of the Year.
And for the second straight season, the league’s head coaches honored CCSU’s
Patrick Sellers as the Jim Phelan Coach of the Year, recognizing his role in leading the Blue Devils to even greater heights in 2024-25.
FDU sophomore scoring machine
Terrence Brown (Minneapolis, MN/Columbia Heights) took home the NEC Most Improved Player award, while Saint Francis U freshman guard
Juan Cranford, Jr. (Dayton, OH/Wayne) made an instant splash to claim the NEC Rookie of the Year accolade.
The award recipients were announced on the eve of the 2025 NEC Men’s Basketball Tournament, which begins with quarterfinal round play at campus sites on Wednesday.
Taking his game to another level in his senior season, Jones did it all for a CCSU team that captured its second consecutive NEC regular season championship in dominating fashion. The lone returning All-NEC selection, Jones leveled up from a second-team honoree to the league’s premier player. Whether creating for others or calling his own number, the dynamic 6’0” playmaker is a walking highlight, slicing up defenses with an assortment of mid-range stepbacks, deep threes, tough finishes through contact and pinpoint passes to teammates. He’s also been the catalyst in CCSU’s frequent second-half surges, stepping up with the game on the line. The Florence, SC product and three-time NEC Player of the Week leads a balanced CCSU scoring attack and ranks fifth in the NEC with 14.4 ppg, a number that jumps to 16.3 ppg in conference play. His efficiency has been off the charts against league opponents, posting elite .540/.435/.860 shooting splits. A true two-way threat, Jones ranks among the NEC’s best in multiple categories, sitting fourth in assists (3.6), fifth in free throw percentage (.810), ninth in steals (1.5) and third in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.96). In just two seasons, he has racked up 822 career points and will add to that total in the postseason. Jones now stands alongside a legendary group of CCSU NEC Player of the Year winners, becoming the sixth Blue Devil to earn the honor. Jones follows in the footsteps of program greats Ken Horton (2011-12), Javier Mojica (2006-07), Ron Robinson (2003-04), Corsley Edwards (2001-02) and Rick Mickens (1999-00), solidifying his place in CCSU’s proud basketball lore.
From day one, Cranford Jr. played with the poise of a veteran, standing out in a deep NEC rookie class. A consistent offensive contributor, the SFU combo guard rose to the occasion in key moments, helping a youthful Red Flash squad secure the #3 seed in the NEC Tournament. Cranford earned a starting spot in just his sixth game, and his career-high 21-point outburst at Maryland in December turned heads, proving that his game translated against any competition. That performance earned him the first of his league-best four NEC Rookie of the Week honors. Unafraid to take - and make - big shots, his inside-outside game and knack for finishing through traffic have made him a versatile weapon for the Red Flash. Cranford leads all NEC freshmen in scoring with 9.5 ppg and has reached double figures 15 times this season. He also ranks among the conference’s top-20 in a host of categories, including field goal percentage (.452, 15th), three-point percentage (.374, 12th), made three-pointers (1.5/game, 13th) and rebounding (4.3, 19th). The Dayton, OH product has also been money from the line, hitting at an 88.4 percent clip. Cranford Jr. became the fourth player in Saint Francis U history to be named NEC Rookie of the Year, joining Keith Braxton (2016-17), Malik Harmon (2013-14) and Darshan Luckey (2002-03).
Brown’s transformation from a promising All-Rookie freshman campaign to unstoppable scorer was nothing short of spectacular. In making the leap, he raised his scoring average from 7.8 ppg to a league-best 20.6 ppg, a mark that ranks ninth nationally. The show-stopping guard’s 12.8 ppg scoring boost from last year stands as the fifth-largest year-over-year improvement in NEC history. A nightmare to guard one-on-one, Brown has erupted for 20+ points in 17 games this season, showcasing his unique blend of speed, athleticism, hops and the ability to score from any distance and angle. To illustrate his versatility, Brown buried 36 threes while throwing down 21 dunks, the second-most in the conference. But his impact goes well beyond scoring. The 6’3” Minneapolis native leads the NEC in steals (2.1 spg), positioning himself to become just the third player in conference history to top the league in both scoring and steals. Add in his ability to facilitate (3.1 apg, ninth in NEC) and knock down free throws (75.3 percent, 12th), and Brown has established himself as one of the most electrifying NEC players in recent memory. With Brown leading the charge, fourth-seeded FDU has its sights set on another magical March run that culminates with the program’s first NEC title since 2019. The three-time NEC Player of the Week and first team All-NEC honoree became the second Knight in the last three years to earn NEC Most Improved Player honors, joining Ansley Almonor (2022-23). They were preceded by Sidney Sanders Jr. (2013-14) and Earl Potts Jr. (2015-16) as FDU MIP winners.
Earning the opportunity to take on a larger role in his senior year, Momoh established himself as the NEC’s premier rim protector and a game-changing defensive presence for the regular season champion Blue Devils. The 6-7 forward leads the league with 1.6 blocks per game, a figure that ranks him 60th nationally, and was even more dominant in conference play, where he averaged 1.9 blocks. A natural at patrolling the paint and an elite weakside defender, Momoh used his wingspan and impeccable timing to dissuade would be finishers at the rim, posting a 7.70 block rate that ranks 54th nationally. Anchoring one of the circuit’s most formidable defenses, he helped CCSU rank first on the circuit in blocks, second in scoring defense, field goal percentage defense and defensive efficiency, and third in steals. Momoh became the first Blue Devil since two-time winner Tristan Blackwood (2006-07, 2007-08) to claim the award and the fourth in program history. CCSU legend Rick Mickens was the inaugural DPOY winner in 1999-00.
Sellers hasn’t just reignited the CCSU program, he’s brought back the swagger of the revered Blue Devil teams from the early 2000s. In his fourth season at the helm, the CCSU alum guided his squad to back-to-back NEC regular season titles for the first time in program history, this time with a dominant 14-2 record. The Blue Devils locked up the No. 1 seed in the NEC Tournament with a week to spare and will enter the postseason as one of the hottest teams in the nation. CCSU has rattled off 12 straight wins - the longest active streak in the country - and their nine-game road win streak ranks second nationally. Their 12 road victories? Tied for the most in the country. And at 23-6, CCSU has also notched consecutive 20-win seasons for the first time as a DI program. The Blue Devils turned heads early with statement wins at Saint Joseph’s and UMass, and finished non-conference play with an NEC-record-tying nine victories. Now, their focus shifts to the NEC Tournament and the program’s first conference championship since 2007. Sellers has built a team that thrives on both ends, leading the NEC in offensive efficiency (110.2) while ranking second in defensive efficiency (92.2) during league play. CCSU’s +9.8 scoring margin in conference action is the highest by an NEC team in 13 years. Beyond the numbers, the bigger picture is just as striking. Sellers became the first NEC coach to earn back-to-back Jim Phelan Coach of the Year honors since RMU’s Mike Rice (2007-08, 2008-09), and he joined his mentor and CCSU legend Howie Dickenman (2005-06, 2006-07) in that elite club.
AWARD WINNER HIGHLIGHTS
Of the 15 All-NEC honorees this year, 11 are upperclassmen and eight are newcomers to the league.
CCSU led all programs with a league-best three student-athletes earning All-NEC honors, followed by LIU, Mercyhurst, Saint Francis U, and Stonehill with two apiece.
This marks the second straight year CCSU has landed three players on All-NEC teams and the fifth time in program history. The Blue Devils also achieved the feat during their championship seasons in 1999-00, 2001-02 and 2006-07. Notably, the 2006-07 squad remains the only NEC team to place three players on the All-NEC first team (Tristan Blackwood, Javier Mojica and Obie Nwadike).
This year’s All-NEC list features just one repeat honoree: NEC Player of the Year
Jordan Jones (Florence, NC/Trinity-Byrnes Collegiate School (Coker)) from CCSU.
FDU’s
Terrence Brown (Minneapolis, MN/Columbia Heights) made the leap from the 2023-24 All-Rookie team to a spot on the All-NEC first team.
Saint Francis U’s
Riley Parker (Mandurah, Australia/Mandurah Catholic College (Cochise College)) became the first Australian-born player to earn All-NEC honors since Bryant’s Corey Maynard was named to the third team in 2013-14.
Mercyhurst joined Stonehill (2022-23) and Le Moyne (2023-24) as teams to produce two All-NEC players in their first year as reclassifying DI member.
The 2024-25 All-NEC first team was guard-heavy, featuring four perimeter standouts.
ALL-NEC FIRST TEAM
CCSU’s
Jordan Jones (Florence, NC/Trinity-Byrnes Collegiate School (Coker)) and FDU’s
Terrence Brown (Minneapolis, MN/Columbia Heights) were joined on the All-NEC first team by LIU redshirt junior guard
Malachi Davis (Toronto, Canada/Central Tech (Tallahassee CC/Lake Land College/Arizona State)), Saint Francis U junior guard
Riley Parker (Mandurah, Australia/Mandurah Catholic College (Cochise College)) and Mercyhurst graduate student forward
Jeff Planutis (Hazleton, PA/Hazleton (Woodstock Academy)).
After transferring from Arizona State, Davis wasted no time in establishing himself as LIU’s go-to scorer and one of the NEC’s toughest covers. An elite athlete with a deep bag of hesitation and spin moves, he shredded defenders off the dribble to create space and attack the rim. And when the game was on the line, the Sharks put the ball in his hands - and he delivered. His clutch gene was on full display in a January game at Stonehill that saw him score the final 13 points of the game for to close out the LIU win. The human highlight film from Toronto was the centerpiece of LIU’s retooled roster, earning three NEC Player of the Week honors and finishing the regular season as the league’s second-leading scorer at 17.1 ppg. The versatile performer also ranks among NEC leaders in steals (1.9, 2nd), assists (3.2, 7th), and free throw percentage (.798, 7th).
Parker, an Australian native who took a detour through Cochise College in Arizona before landing in Loretto, has quickly become a fan favorite with his picture-perfect jumper, clutch shotmaking and fearless play. A three-level scorer, he keeps defenses guessing with deep-range accuracy, a lethal mid-range pull-up and the ability to get to the rim when defenders press up on him. Just this past weekend, the sharpshooter put on a show, dropping 14 points in the final minute of regulation and overtime to lift SFU to its third straight OT win that secured the #3 seed for the Red Flash in the NEC Tournament. Averaging 13.6 ppg on the year - and an even better 15.6 ppg against NEC competition - Parker ranks eighth in the league in scoring while also sitting top-10 in multiple categories. He’s currently fifth in assists (3.5), seventh in three-point percentage (.394) and seventh in threes made per game (1.9).
A star at the D2 level before Mercyhurst made the jump to Division I, Planutis made sure his game rose with it. A knockdown shooter with unlimited range on a team stacked with perimeter threats, the Hazleton, PA native saved his most electric performance for last, drilling a career-high 10 three-pointers in a historic shooting display on Saturday. It marked the most triples in an NEC game in over 12 years and tied for second on the league’s all-time single-game list. But Planutis wasn’t just a threat from deep. His ability to run the floor and finish in transition adds another dimension to his already dangerous offensive arsenal. Over five years in a Laker uniform, he piled up 1,859 points and 227 three-pointers, leaving his mark as one of the program’s most prolific scorers. This season, he has been among the NEC’s best, ranking third in scoring (15.5 ppg), free throw percentage (.885) and three-point accuracy (.412), and fourth in made threes per game (2.03).
ALL-NEC SECOND TEAM
One of the NEC’s most improved players, Le Moyne sophomore guard
AJ Dancler (Indianapolis, IN/Southport) made a massive leap, boosting his scoring average from 5.7 ppg as a freshman to 15.1 ppg this season. He turned it up even further in conference play, tying for the league lead with 20.1 ppg against NEC foes. An ultra-smooth combo guard with deep range (41.6 percent from three) and the ability to finish at the rim, Dancler emerged as the Dolphins’ go-to scorer when they needed a big bucket. He is also the NEC’s sixth-ranked distributor at 3.4 apg.
LIU senior forward
Jamal Fuller (Toronto, Canada/Central Tech (Hill College/Academy of Art)) was one of three Canadian imports who played a key role in the Sharks’ resurgence this season. A versatile weapon on the offensive end, Fuller plays bigger than his 6’5” frame, thriving as a high-flyer in transition, overpowering defenders in the paint and stretching the floor from deep, where he knocked down 33 triples at a 36.7 percent clip. Supplying LIU with 12.2 ppg, he also ranks seventh in the NEC with 6.0 rpg.
CCSU junior guard
Devin Haid (Wooster, OH/Wooster (Cuyahoga CC/Notre Dame (OH))) was exactly what the Blue Devils needed this season. A silky-smooth, sinewy slasher who seemingly glides across the court, Haid can light it up from deep (36 three-pointers), finish above the rim on the break and punish defenders with his crafty mid-range game. His well-rounded skill set has made him one of the most dangerous players in the NEC, as he ranks seventh in scoring (13.7 ppg), fourth in free throw percentage (.849), fifth in field goal percentage (.488), sixth in steals (1.5) and eighth in rebounding (5.7).
Senior forward
Aidan Reichert (Jackson Center, OH/Jackson Center) was a Swiss army knife for Mercyhurst in its NEC debut, doing a little bit of everything on both ends of the floor. The 6’4” forward played bigger than his size, providing a consistent scoring presence in the paint, while also stretching the floor with 24 three-pointers. Reichert was also a heady defender in the Lakers’ unique matchup zone defense. He averaged 13.8 ppg, ranking him sixth in the NEC, and grabbed 5.2 rpg, good for tenth in the conference.
Stonehill sophomore forward
Louie Semona (Cincinnati, OH/St. Xavier (St. Thomas More (CT))) took his game to another level in his second season in Easton, growing in confidence with each outing and becoming nearly unstoppable offensively by season’s end. A smooth-shooting wing, Semona drilled 59 three-pointers at a 38.1 percent success rate, but his versatility didn’t stop there. Operating in Stonehill’s motion offense, he showed the ability to slice through the defense and finish in the paint. Coming off a career-high 33-point eruption in Saturday’s win over Le Moyne, Semona averaged 16.8 ppg in NEC play to ranking fourth in the conference. Overall, he leads Stonehill with 13.2 ppg.
ALL-NEC THIRD TEAM
Stonehill sophomore forward
Todd Brogna (Southborough, MA/Worcester Academy) grew his game considerably following a promising freshman season. A tough matchup down low with his elite footwork and crafty post moves, the 6’7” forward also has the range to stretch defenses. With near flawless efficiency, Brogna is flirting with mythical 50/40/90 splits this season, hitting 49.6 of his shots, including 40.3 percent from deep and 91.3 percent from the line, which ranks him second in the NEC and seventh nationally. His 12.3 ppg makes his the Skyhawks’ second-leading point producer.
In his first season with Chicago State, junior forward
Jalen Forrest (Decatur, GA/Greenforest-McCalep Christian (GA) (Presbyterian)) quickly became a matchup nightmare across the NEC. With a blend of raw physical power and polished skill set, Forrest excelled at both bullying defenders in the paint, creating in the mid-range and knocking down shots from deep. With the ball often in his hands when the Cougars needed a bucket, he consistently delivered. Forrest leads Chicago State with 12.5 ppg, ranks second in rebounds (4.6 rpg) and has drilled 39 three-pointers.
CCSU senior forward
Abdul Momoh (Carteret, NJ/The Patrick School) was more than just the NEC’s premier defender this season. He took measures to improve his offensive game as well, boosting his scoring average from 4.2 ppg to 9.0 ppg to rank fourth on the Blue Devils as they head into the postseason. Momoh’s ability to finish around the rim, execute in the pick-and-roll and rim run in transition added another dimension to a team already loaded with offensive threats. He is shooting 59.9 percent from the field, good for second in the NEC.
Saint Francis U junior forward
Valentino Pinedo (Murcia, Spain/Sunrise Christian Academy (KS)) proved to be a valuable addition for the Red Flash, providing both a reliable interior scoring presence and a defensive anchor. Quick on his feet and blessed with exceptional footwork and a versatile set of low-post moves, the 6’8” Pinedo consistently found himself in the right spot to finish efficiently at the rim. The Murcia, Spain native is SFU’s second-leading scorer at 10.2 ppg and ranks among the NEC’s top-five in rebounding (6.6, fourth) and field goal percentage (.571, third).
Bouncing back from an injury-riddled junior season,
Zaire Williams (Brooklyn, NY/Eagle Academy) proved to be a versatile, 3-and-D plus wing for Wagner. One of the NEC’s most seasoned players, Williams has seen it all during his time in Staten Island, and his court IQ reflects that. Leading the Seahawks with 11.9 ppg, he’s a threat from deep, knocking down 48 three-pointers on the year, but is just as comfortable attacking the rim. Williams also came through in the clutch for Wagner, most notably with his contested jumper at the buzzer that lifted the Seahawks to a 70-68 win over SFU back in January. Williams also impacts the game defensively with his quick hands and solid instincts, ranking third in the league at 1.7 spg.
All-DEFENSIVE TEAM
The NEC unveiled its first-ever All-Defensive Team this season, spotlighting a quintet of defensive standouts, led by CCSU’s
Abdul Momoh (Carteret, NJ/The Patrick School), the NEC Defensive Player of the Year. Joining him were LIU senior guard
Brent Davis (Miramar, FL/Miramar (The Citadel/Chicago State)), Wagner senior guards
Javier Ezquerra (San Juan, Puerto Rico/IMG Academy) and
Zaire Williams (Brooklyn, NY/Eagle Academy), and FDU graduate student forward
Bismark Nsiah (Bronx, NY/Lehman (Jefferson)).
Davis was the NEC’s premier pickpocket during league play, averaging 2.5 spg while contributing to an LIU team that ranks first in the league in steal rate, turnover rate and defensive efficiency. Ezquerra, known for his suffocating on-the-ball defense, combined with Williams to average 3.0 steals per game for a Seahawks squad that ranks fourth nationally in scoring defense. Meanwhile, Nsiah used his 6’8” frame and impressive wingspan to protect the rim for the Knights, rejecting 32 shots on the season.
ALL-ROOKIE TEAM
Saint Francis U’s
Juan Cranford, Jr. (Dayton, OH/Wayne) headlined the NEC All-Rookie team, and had some familiar company with Red Flash backcourt mate
Jeremy Clayville (Ridgewood, NJ/Saint Joseph Metuchen) joining him on the five-player squad. Stonehill guard
Hermann Koffi (Quebec City, Quebec/Polyvalente de Thetford Mines), LIU forward
Shadrak Lasu (Winnipeg, Canada/Northstar Prep) and CCSU forward
Darin Smith, Jr. (Springfield, MA/Vermont Academy) also earned All-Rookie plaudits.
Call him a zonebuster or a defense stretcher, but Clayville knows how to make defenses pay from deep. The Red Flash freshman paces all NEC rookies with 59 three-pointers and has drilled 2.1 triples per game, good for third in the conference. Clayville, who averages 8.4 ppg, has also converted 40.4 percent of his shots from beyond the arc, the fifth-best mark in the league.
Koffi stepped right into a prominent role in his first year at Stonehill. A confident shooter with a picture-perfect jumper, Koffi played like a seasoned pro, often stepping up late in games to make key shots for the Skyhawks. The three-time NEC Player of the Week is the NEC’s second-leading freshman scorer, averaging 9.5 ppg, and ranks eighth on the circuit with 1.8 made three-pointers per game.
Lasu flashed serious potential as the season went on, emerging as a disruptive defensive force in the paint with his impeccable timing as a shot blocker. The Sharks’ lanky 6’8” forward made an impact not only as a rim protector but also with a collection of high-flying dunks in transition. A two-time NEC Rookie of the Week, Lasu currently ranks second in the conference in both rebounding (7.1) and rejections (1.3).
Smith Jr. is an analytics darling for good reason. Heading into the postseason, he leads the NEC in three-point shooting, hitting 45.2 percent from deep, while also converting 58.2 percent of his two-point attempts. The athletic wing, who shares the league lead with four NEC Rookie of the Week honors, is contributing 7.1 ppg off the bench for the Blue Devils.
About The Northeast Conference
Now in its 44th season, the Northeast Conference is an NCAA Division I collegiate athletic association consisting of nine institutions of higher learning located throughout six states. Media coverage of the NEC extends to a number of the largest markets in the United States including New York (#1), Chicago (#3), Boston (#8). Hartford/New Haven (#32) and Syracuse (#87). Founded in 1981 as the basketball-only ECAC Metro Conference, the NEC has grown to sponsor 25 championship sports for men and women and now enjoys automatic access to 16 different NCAA Championships. NEC full member institutions include Central Connecticut, Chicago State, FDU, Le Moyne, LIU, Mercyhurst, Saint Francis U, Stonehill and Wagner. For more information on the NEC, visit the league’s official website (
www.northeastconference.org) and digital network (
www.necfrontrow.com), or follow the league on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and TikTok, all @NECsports.
2024-25 Northeast Conference Men’s Basketball Award Winners