ATLANTA, Ga. – The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) announced its 2025-26 Men's Basketball Preseason Honors, with Albany State guard
Shakur Poteat earning the league's top recognition as the Preseason Player of the Year. Poteat was also named to the Preseason All-SIAC First Team, highlighting his role as one of the premier returning players in the conference. The Golden Rams were projected to finish fourth in the SIAC East Division in the preseason poll, as voted on by head coaches and sports information directors.
Poteat returns to Albany State after a standout 2024-25 season where he led the Golden Rams in scoring and established himself as one of the most dangerous offensive weapons in the SIAC. His consistency and leadership on the court earned him BOXTOROW First Team All-American honors, cementing his reputation as one of the top players not only in the conference but across Division II basketball.
With Poteat anchoring the lineup, Albany State looks to exceed preseason expectations and make a push for SIAC supremacy. The Golden Rams, under the leadership of Head Coach
Patrick Gayle are poised to build on last year's campaign with a mix of veteran talent and new contributors.
The SIAC preseason predictions set the stage for an exciting year, as Albany State aims to challenge for a top spot in the East and position itself for postseason play. Poteat's recognition as Preseason Player of the Year reflects both his individual excellence and the potential of the Golden Rams' program heading into the 2025-26 season.
Preseason teams are voted on by the conference's head coaches.
| FIRST TEAM |
| NAME |
POSITION |
SCHOOL |
CLASS |
HOMETOWN |
| Shakur Poteat* |
Guard |
Albany State |
Graduate |
Orlando, Fla. |
| Kusamae Draper* |
Forward |
Tuskegee |
Senior |
Conyers, Ga. |
| Aziel Blackwell* |
Guard |
Kentucky State |
Senior |
Newark, N.J. |
| Khalil Genwright* |
Guard |
Tuskegee |
Junior |
Wilmington, N.C. |
| Amari Floyd |
Forward |
Edward Waters |
Junior |
Atlanta, Ga. |
| – * RETURNING 2024-25 ALL-SIAC SELECTION |
| SECOND TEAM |
| NAME |
POSITION |
SCHOOL |
CLASS |
HOMETOWN |
| Ramar Pryor |
Guard |
Central State |
Senior |
Canton, Ohio |
| Elijah Greer Dawson |
Guard |
Lane |
Senior |
Detroit, Mich. |
| JerMontae Hill |
Guard/Forward |
Morehouse |
Senior |
Atlanta, Ga. |
| Jaylen Jackson |
Forward |
Fort Valley State |
Senior |
Atlanta, Ga. |
| Javote Landy |
Guard |
Savannah State |
Senior |
Savannah, Ga. |
| THIRD TEAM |
| NAME |
POSITION |
SCHOOL |
CLASS |
HOMETOWN |
| Najashi Tolefree |
Forward |
Miles |
Senior |
Milwaukee, Wis. |
| Gregory Melvin |
Forward |
Kentucky State |
Senior |
Virginia Beach, Va. |
| Ny'Mire Little |
Guard |
Clark Atlanta |
R-Senior |
Chester, Pa. |
| Kharye Cayne |
Center |
Clark Atlanta |
Senior |
Raleigh, N.C. |
| Caleb Hymon |
Guard |
Benedict |
Senior |
Raleigh, N.C. |
| PRESEASON PLAYER OF THE YEAR |
| NAME |
POSITION |
SCHOOL |
CLASS |
HOMETOWN |
| Shakur Poteat |
Guard |
Albany State |
Graduate |
Orlando, Fla. |
| PRESEASON DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR |
| NAME |
POSITION |
SCHOOL |
CLASS |
HOMETOWN |
| Amari Floyd |
Forward |
Edward Waters |
Junior |
Atlanta, Ga. |
| PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH (BY DIVISION) |
| EAST |
| 1. Clark Atlanta |
| 2. Savannah State |
| 3. Morehouse |
| 4. Albany State |
| 5. Edward Waters |
| 6. Benedict |
| 7. Fort Valley State |
| 8. Allen |
| WEST |
| 1. Miles |
| 2. Tuskegee |
| 3. Central State |
| 4. Kentucky State |
| 5. Lane |
| 6. Spring Hill |
| 7. LeMoyne-Owen |
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ABOUT ALBANY STATE ATHLETICS
Albany State University is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II-level intercollegiate athletic program. The university currently fields teams in 11 sports: women's volleyball, women's tennis, women's cross country, men's and women's basketball, softball, men's and women's track and field, women's soccer, baseball, and football with all teams compete in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC), except women's soccer, which participates in the Peach Belt Conference.
