The Atlantic Coast Conference revealed its 2025‑26 athlete of the year honors this week, naming Pitt’s Olivia Babcock as the conference’s top female athlete and Duke’s Cameron Boozer as the top male athlete. The awards celebrate outstanding performances across the ACC’s flagship sports and highlight the rising stars who have shaped the recent college season.
Babcock’s Record‑Setting Season
Babcock’s accolades extend beyond the conference honor. She became the first Pitt female athlete to capture the Mary Garber Award, and she is also the first volleyball player ever to win that distinction. Her season placed her fifth in NCAA history among volleyball players to be named back‑to‑back AVCA National Player of the Year, underscoring a rare consistency at the sport’s pinnacle.
Beyond the national player of the year nod, Babcock set a new single‑season kills record for the Pitt program with 646 spikes, shattering a mark that had stood for decades. She also broke the school’s single‑match kills record on two separate occasions during the 2025 campaign, illustrating her relentless attacking power and ability to dominate matches when it mattered most.
Boozer’s Freshman Surge
Cameron Boozer’s impact was equally profound on the basketball side of the ledger. The Duke freshman averaged 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game throughout the 2025‑26 season, a production level that placed him among the most dominant first‑year players in recent memory.
Boozer’s statistical line was marked by remarkable consistency, as he recorded at least 13 points, five rebounds and two assists in every game he played. His 22 double‑double performances tied for the national lead, and his ability to contribute across the box score earned him the Anthony J. McKevlin Award, making him the second straight Duke freshman to claim that honor.
The significance of Boozer’s achievement resonates beyond personal statistics. He became the seventh Duke player to be recognized as a consensus National Player of the Year and the first freshman or sophomore since Larry Bird in 1976‑77 to average at least 20 points, 10 rebounds and four assists in a single season, a benchmark that has historically signaled future NBA stardom.
Both Babcock and Boozer exemplify the ACC’s growing depth of talent across gender lines. Their performances not only elevate their respective programs but also set new standards for excellence that will influence upcoming recruits and shape the conference’s narrative for years to come.