BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Navy senior guard Austin Benigni was voted 2025-26 Patriot League Men’s Basketball Scholar-Athlete of the Year, while earning a spot on the 11-member Academic All-Patriot League Team when the League office announced accolades on Wednesday.
Benigni, a computer science major carrying a 3.42 cumulative GPA, was selected as the 2026 Patriot League Men’s Basketball Player of the Year earlier this week. The Woodlands, Texas native is a three-time Academic All-Patriot League Men’s Basketball Team member, becoming the 11th men’s basketball student-athlete in League history accomplish the feat. Benigni is the first Midshipman to receive the honor since Michael Cunningham was selected in 2001.
Three Academic All-Patriot League selections earned All-League honors earlier this week. Benigni is one of two First Team All-Patriot League selections to earn academic honors, joined by Boston University junior guard Michael McNair (advertising, 3.30 GPA). Lehigh sophomore forward Hank Alvey (architecture, 3.65 GPA) was a second-team honoree.
To be eligible for the Scholar-Athlete of the Year award and the Academic All-Patriot League Team, a student-athlete must have at least a 3.20 cumulative GPA and be a starter or key player in their sport. Freshmen or students in their first academic year at their school are not eligible for the honor.
The Patriot League Scholar-Athlete of the Year winner for each sport comprises the pool of nominees for the Patriot League Men’s and Women’s Scholar-Athlete of the Year awards given out during the summer.
2025-26 Patriot League Men’s Basketball Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Austin Benigni, Navy, Sr., G, The Woodlands, Texas/The Woodlands Christian Academy
*Benigni a three-time Academic All-Patriot League selection is computer science major, carrying a 3.42 cumulative GPA.
*The senior guard is a three-time All-League selection and the 2026 Patriot League Men’s Basketball Player of the Year after finishing second in the League, averaging 18.1 points per game on a League-best 45.7% from 3-point range.
*He received Navy pilot for his service assignment, and has received academic honors from the USNA in three semesters.
*Benigni ranks 11th in Patriot League history in points (1,873), 17th in assists (470) and third in free-throw percentage (.862).
2025-26 Academic All-Patriot League Team
Ten of the 11 Academic All-Patriot League selections received academic accolades for the first time. Bucknell senior guard/forward Achile Spadone (psychology, 3.92 GPA) received recognition for the first time, joining Benigni as the only seniors named to the academic squad.
McNair highlights a group of five juniors, which includes Colgate forward Sam Wright (economics, 3.39 GPA), Lafayette guard Mark Butler (psychology, 3.22 GPA) and Loyola Maryland guards Jordan Stiemke (biology, 3.597 GPA) and Jacob Theodosiou (leadership & management consulting, 3.917 GPA).
Alvey is one of four sophomores to claim academic honors, joined by American forward Julen Iturbe (marketing, 3.38 GPA), Holy Cross guard/forward Gabe Warren (economics, 3.42 GPA) and Lehigh forward Edouard Benoit (economics, 3.71 GPA).
2025-26 Patriot League Men’s Basketball Scholar-Athlete of the Year – Austin Benigni, Navy, Sr., G
2025-26 Patriot League Men’s Basketball Academic All-League Team*
Julen Iturbe, American, So., F
Michael McNair, Boston University, Jr., G
Achile Spadone, Bucknell, Sr., G/F
Sam Wright, Colgate, Jr., F
Gabe Warren, Holy Cross, So., G/F
Mark Butler, Lafayette, Jr., G
Hank Alvey, Lehigh, So., F/C
Edouard Benoit, Lehigh, So., F
Jordan Stiemke, Loyola Maryland, Jr., G
Jacob Theodosiou, Loyola Maryland, Jr., G
Austin Benigni, Navy, Sr., G
*Additional member selected to Academic All-Patriot League Team due to a tie in the voting
ABOUT THE PATRIOT LEAGUE
The Patriot League is in its fourth decade of academic and athletic achievement, continually demonstrating that student-athletes can excel at both academics and athletics without sacrificing high standards. The Patriot League’s athletic success is achieved while its member institutions remain committed to its founding principle of admitting and graduating student-athletes who are academically representative of their class. Participation in athletics at Patriot League institutions is viewed as an important component of a well-rounded education.