University of North Texas Athletics
Je’Shawn Stevenson Tabbed American Conference’s Preseason Player of the Year in Conference Awards
10/9/2026 11:01:00 AM | Men's Basketball
IRVING, TX – For the first time since joining the American Conference, the Preseason Player of the Year resides in Denton as junior guard Je'Shawn Stevenson was awarded the honor on Friday morning by American Conference coaches following a stellar sophomore campaign.
Stevenson enters the season as the league's leading returning scorer, averaging 17.3 points per game a season ago. The rising junior tallied 13 20-plus-point games in 2025-26 highlighted by a 29-point burst in a win over Florida Atlantic and a 27-point outing in a win over UTSA. At the American Conference tournament Stevenson averaged 22.5 points per game, and should he reach 20 points in November's season opener, will tie a career best three consecutive games scoring 20+ points. Within the program, the guard's season is the third highest single season scoring campaign of the decade.
The Chicago native was more than just a standout offensive presence, on the defensive end he was the leading force of a squad that ranked ninth in the country in steals per game last season. With 66 steals by himself, he ranked 34th nationally in total steals and 36th in steals per game, and in the process became the first UNT student-athlete to eclipse 65 steals in a season this century and ranks second all-time in single-season steals in program history.
Coupled with his preseason POY honor, Stevenson was named Preseason First Team All-Conference, another first for UNT in its American Conference era.
"We're proud to see Je'Shawn recognized as the preseason Player of the Year. He established himself as one of the top players in this conference last season, and that's a credit to his preparation and consistency. We're excited about the leadership and experience he brings to our group and are ready to see him take another step forward this season," Head Coach Daniyal Robinson said.
As a team, North Texas is predicted to finish seventh – the third straight season the Mean Green have been projected in the seventh slot. Despite the preseason ranking, the program went on to outperform the initial prediction the last two seasons after finishing sixth last season and second in 2024-25 with runs to the conference tournament quarterfinals and semifinals respectively.
"We have a great deal of respect for the programs and coaches in this conference, and every night presents a challenge. We established a foundation in our first year, and now our responsibility is to continue building on it," Robinson said.
"Our focus is on the standard we're establishing inside our program and continuing to grow from year one to year two. We like the work our guys are putting in, but we also recognize how much work is still ahead of us. We are excited about the opportunity ahead."
UNT brings back three of five starters from the 2025-26 season with senior Cole Franklin and junior Reece Robinson joining Stevenson alongside sophomores EJ Horton and Ousmane Ndour (redshirted last season). Coach Robinson brought in seven new faces, three true freshman and four transfers, to round out a roster of 12 student-athletes.
Stevenson, Franklin, and Robinson will all attend the upcoming American Conference Media Days in Tampa, Florida on October 11-12. The Mean Green officially take the court for the first time on November 2 against Southwestern Christian for the season opener.
Stevenson enters the season as the league's leading returning scorer, averaging 17.3 points per game a season ago. The rising junior tallied 13 20-plus-point games in 2025-26 highlighted by a 29-point burst in a win over Florida Atlantic and a 27-point outing in a win over UTSA. At the American Conference tournament Stevenson averaged 22.5 points per game, and should he reach 20 points in November's season opener, will tie a career best three consecutive games scoring 20+ points. Within the program, the guard's season is the third highest single season scoring campaign of the decade.
The Chicago native was more than just a standout offensive presence, on the defensive end he was the leading force of a squad that ranked ninth in the country in steals per game last season. With 66 steals by himself, he ranked 34th nationally in total steals and 36th in steals per game, and in the process became the first UNT student-athlete to eclipse 65 steals in a season this century and ranks second all-time in single-season steals in program history.
Coupled with his preseason POY honor, Stevenson was named Preseason First Team All-Conference, another first for UNT in its American Conference era.
"We're proud to see Je'Shawn recognized as the preseason Player of the Year. He established himself as one of the top players in this conference last season, and that's a credit to his preparation and consistency. We're excited about the leadership and experience he brings to our group and are ready to see him take another step forward this season," Head Coach Daniyal Robinson said.
As a team, North Texas is predicted to finish seventh – the third straight season the Mean Green have been projected in the seventh slot. Despite the preseason ranking, the program went on to outperform the initial prediction the last two seasons after finishing sixth last season and second in 2024-25 with runs to the conference tournament quarterfinals and semifinals respectively.
"We have a great deal of respect for the programs and coaches in this conference, and every night presents a challenge. We established a foundation in our first year, and now our responsibility is to continue building on it," Robinson said.
"Our focus is on the standard we're establishing inside our program and continuing to grow from year one to year two. We like the work our guys are putting in, but we also recognize how much work is still ahead of us. We are excited about the opportunity ahead."
UNT brings back three of five starters from the 2025-26 season with senior Cole Franklin and junior Reece Robinson joining Stevenson alongside sophomores EJ Horton and Ousmane Ndour (redshirted last season). Coach Robinson brought in seven new faces, three true freshman and four transfers, to round out a roster of 12 student-athletes.
Stevenson, Franklin, and Robinson will all attend the upcoming American Conference Media Days in Tampa, Florida on October 11-12. The Mean Green officially take the court for the first time on November 2 against Southwestern Christian for the season opener.
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's BasketballThursday, March 05
Thursday, March 05
Monday, February 23
Monday, February 23