By: By Chad Duke, MBWA Communications Intern
The Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association came together on April 23, 2026, to celebrate another year of excellence across college basketball with the 93rd Annual Haggerty Awards Dinner. The annual gala, held once again in Tarrytown, NY in Westchester, brought together players, coaches, media professionals and supporters from across the metropolitan area for an evening recognizing the season’s top achievements.
The program, which includes all levels of NCAA basketball, always begins with the awards from Divisions II and II. This year started with the men’s awards in Division II. Felician University had a great night with coach Ivan Lewis winning Coach of the year honors, followed by talented guard Brooklyn native Jeremiah Anderson taking home the Player of the Year Award. The spotlight then shifted to the Division II women’s awards, as Mercy University also swept the top honors with head coach Scott Lagas winning Coach of the Year and gritty forward Grace Lesko earning the Player of the Year nod.
Doing what they do best, the New York University women continued to make history in 2025-26, as back to back NCAA Women’s Division III Champion head coach Meg Barber won her record fourth consecutive Coach of the Year. NYU hadn’t lost a game since the 2023 NCAA Tournament until this season’s Final Four, where the Violets were knocked off by Scranton. In between, NYU set a new Division III record with 91 consecutive victories. Leading that charge on the court was senior guard Caroline Peper, who won Player of the Year. On the men’s side, Montclair State’s energetic coach Justin Potts won his second-ever Coach of the Year. One of the top scorers in men’s Division III history, crafty guard Zevi Samet of Yeshiva University took home Player of the Year for Yeshiva University.
The evening continued with the presentation of the Jim O’Connell “Oc” Scholarship, won by St.Joseph University-Brooklyn’s Kristopher Vinski, showcasing academic achievement, leadership, and dedication to the game beyond the court.
One of the night’s special moments came with the presentation of the Good Guy Award, won by the relentless NJCU head coach Marc Brown. He was honored by his father Charles Brown, legendary hall of fame basketball coach. Honoring an individual whose professionalism, character, and relationship with the media reflected the spirit of college basketball in the metropolitan area.
Recognition of elite talent continued with the Division I Women’s presentations. Showcasing some of the top performers in women’s college basketball. Rising guard Zahara Bishop from Seton Hall University won Rookie of the Year, while passionate coach Stephanie Gaitley from FDU won Coach of the Year for the fourth time in her incredible career. After that Columbia University junior guard Riley Wiess was introduced as the Lions third-ever women’s MBWA Player of the Year.
The number one highlight of the evening was honoring legendary broadcaster Bill Raftery known for his energetic commentary, signature catchphrases, and decades-long presence on NCAA broadcasts. “Raf” received the Peter Carlesimo / Jack Powers Distinguished Service Award. The award celebrates individuals whose long-term contributions and commitment have helped shape and support the game throughout the region. He made a powerful point “All we pray for is that a youngster doesn’t lose the game.” He went on to say how truly the game can change one’s lives for the better.
As the evening moved toward its conclusion, the focus turned to the Division I Men’s awards. Exciting guard Preston Edmead won rookie of the year for Hofstra University. The accolades continued for Hofstra, as Head Coach Speedy Claxton won the Lou Carnesecca Co-Coach of the Year.and with Seton Hall’s Shaheen Holloway, One of the most prestigious honors presented by the association, the award recognized exceptional performance, leadership and impact during the college basketball season. 2026 marked the first time that a former Haggerty Award winner earned “The Looie” and the first time two former All-Met First team players (Claxton, Holloway) shared the award.
The night concluded with the presentation of the 93rd Annual Lt. Frank J. Haggerty Award, the signature honor of the evening, celebrating the year’s most outstanding men’s Division I player in the metropolitan area. It was awarded to the humble but extremely talented Zuby Ejiofor of St.John’s University. Ejiofor became the first ever St. John’s or Big East player to win the conference’s Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Tournament Most Outstanding Player and Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
That award brings a fitting close to a ceremony dedicated to excellence, achievement, and the continued tradition of basketball in New York and beyond. It was a great evening full of talent, energy, and determination. The Haggerty dinner is the longest running, media-managed college basketball awards program in the United States.
For direct links to each, click below:
PHOTOS • DINNER PROGRAM • LIVE STREAM • BILL RAFTERY HONOR • HIGHLIGHTS
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FFI: Gregg Cohen, Vice President, Communications, metbasketball@gmail.com