A Rising Star Returns
Silas Demary Jr., the UConn point guard who dazzled the Big East in his debut season, has been crowned the conference’s preseason Player of the Year for 2026‑27 by CBS Sports analyst Jon Rothstein.
The honor comes after Demary Jr. topped the league in both 3‑point percentage and assist rate, numbers that helped the Huskies navigate a bruising NCAA Tournament run that culminated in a national championship game appearance.
Despite a high ankle sprain that sidelined him for the tournament opener against Furman, the guard returned in time to make a pivotal defensive play that set up Braylon Mullins’ historic deep three‑pointer, a moment that underscored his impact on the team’s success.
With only two starters from last season’s championship roster returning, Demary Jr. and Mullins will anchor an experienced backcourt for head coach Dan Hurley’s squad, giving UConn a potent mix of shooting and playmaking heading into the new campaign.
The preseason accolade reflects not only individual brilliance but also the confidence the conference places in a player who will be looking to cap his collegiate career with another deep tournament run.