BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh’s Hank Alvey (Jr., F/C) was voted the Patriot League Men’s Basketball Preseason Player of the Year when the League office announced preseason honors on Thursday. American claimed the top spot in the preseason poll, and the Eagles’ Greg Jones (Sr., F) was selected the Patriot League Men’s Basketball Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
Alvey returns from the defending League champion Mountain Hawks to highlight the five-member Preseason All-Patriot League Team. Alvey and Colgate’s Andrew Alekseyenko (So., F), the reigning Patriot League Rookie of the Year, make the preseason squad after earning Second Team All-Patriot League honors last season. American’s Jones and teammate Madden Collins (So., G) were third-team All-League selections in 2025-26. Boston University’s Kyrone Alexander (Sr., G), a second-team All-League honoree in 2024-25, rounds out the team.
American collected 81 points and nine first-place votes to sit atop the Patriot League men’s basketball preseason poll. Lehigh placed second with 72 points and one first-place vote after claiming the League crown last season. Boston University and Colgate tied for third with 61 points, while 2025-26 regular-season champion Navy finished fifth with 42 points. Bucknell (39), Lafayette (29), Holy Cross (28), Loyola Maryland (26) and Army West Point (11) completed the 10-team preseason poll.
The Patriot League men’s basketball head coaches voted for the preseason poll, major awards and All-League Team. They could not vote for their team or student-athletes.
2026-27 Patriot League Men’s Basketball Preseason Player of the Year
Hank Alvey, Lehigh, Jr., F/C, Mapleton, Ill./Illini Bluffs
2025-26 Stats: 35 GP, 15.2 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.8 bpg, 1.1 spg, .624 FG pct., .659 FT pct.
*Alvey earned Second Team All-Patriot League honors last season and is the League’s leading returner in scoring (15.2), rebounding (7.1) blocks (1.8) and field-goal percentage (.624).
*The Mapleton, Ill. native, averaged 19.3 points and 5.0 rebounds during the 2026 Patriot League Championship to earn All-Tournament honors and help Lehigh capture the title.
2026-27 Patriot League Men’s Basketball Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Greg Jones, American, Sr., F, Alexandria, Va./Hayfield Secondary
2025-26 Stats: 32 GP, 12.5 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.0 apg, 1.0 spg, .405 FG pct., .807 FT pct.
*Jones is a two-time Patriot League All-Defensive Team selection, who helped the Eagles rank second in the League in scoring defense (71.3 ppg) last season.
*He earned Third Team All-Patriot League honors after the 2025-26 season after averaging 12.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.0 steal per game.
2026-27 Men’s Basketball All-Patriot League Team
Madden Collins, American, So., G, Columbia, S.C./Christ School
2025-26 Stats: 32 GP, 13.4 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.0 apg, 1.3 spg, .508 FG pct., .703 FT pct.
Career Honors: All-Patriot League Third Team (2026); Patriot League Rookie Team (2026).
Greg Jones, American, Sr., F, Alexandria, Va./Hayfield Secondary
2025-26 Stats: 32 GP, 12.5 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.0 apg, 1.0 spg, .405 FG pct., .807 FT pct.
Career Honors: All-Patriot League Third Team (2026); Patriot League Defensive Team (2025, 2026); Patriot League All-Tournament Team (2025).
Kyrone Alexander, Boston University, Sr., G, Bridgetown, Barbados/South Shore (N.Y.)
2024-25 Stats: 30 GP, 12.9 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 1.9 apg, 1.2 spg, 41.1 FG pct., .800 FT pct.
Career Honors: All-Patriot League Second Team (2025); Patriot League Rookie Team (2024).
Andrew Alekseyenko, Colgate, So., F, Brookline, Mass./The Rivers School
2025-26 Stats: 33 GP, 14.8 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 2.4 apg, .499 FG pct., .383 3PT pct., .781 FT pct.
Career Honors: Patriot League Rookie of the Year (2026); All-Patriot League Second Team (2026); Patriot League Rookie Team (2026).
Hank Alvey, Lehigh, Jr., F/C, Mapleton, Ill./Illini Bluffs
2025-26 Stats: 35 GP, 15.2 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.8 bpg, 1.1 spg, .624 FG pct., .659 FT pct.
Career Honors: All-Patriot League Second Team (2026); Patriot League All-Tournament Team (2026); Patriot League Rookie Team (2025).
2026-27 Preseason Patriot League Men’s Basketball Poll
1. American, 81 (9 first-place votes)
2. Lehigh, 72 (1)
T3. Colgate, 61
T3. Boston University, 61
5. Navy, 42
6. Bucknell, 39
7. Lafayette, 29
8. Holy Cross, 28
9. Loyola Maryland, 26
10. Army West Point, 11
2026-27 Preseason Patriot League Men’s Basketball Major Awards
Preseason Player of the Year – Hank Alvey, Lehigh, Jr., F/C
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year – Greg Jones, American, Sr., F
2026-27 Preseason Men’s Basketball All-Patriot League Team
Madden Collins, American, So., G
Greg Jones, American, Sr., F
Kyrone Alexander, Boston University, Sr., G
Andrew Alekseyenko, Colgate, So., F
Hank Alvey, Lehigh, Jr., F/C
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.