SUNO Leads HBCUAC Preseason Poll as Hicks Takes Player of the Year Honors

Jaylon Hicks and Dorian Booker earn First Team recognition as the defending tournament champions prepare for another title chase.

NEW ORLEANS — Southern University at New Orleans will enter the 2026–27 men’s basketball season with a championship to defend and the conference’s top preseason billing.

The Knights received 200 points and 11 first-place votes in the HBCU Athletic Conference coaches’ poll, securing the No. 1 spot ahead of Tougaloo, Stillman and Dillard. Sophomore Jaylon Hicks was named Preseason Player of the Year, while teammate Dorian Booker joined him on the Preseason All-HBCUAC First Team.

For a program coming off a breakthrough postseason, the recognition brings higher expectations. Head coach James A. Matthews, III said those honors reflect his players’ work, but the Knights still have to prove themselves on the court.

“Being picked first is an honor, but it doesn’t win us a single game,” Matthews said. “Every team on our schedule is going to give us their best shot, and we have to show up ready every night.”

Hicks earned the league’s top individual preseason honor with 170 points from conference head coaches, the highest total among all players. The sophomore wing returns after averaging 15.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.1 steals per game as a freshman.

His first season included 13 HBCUAC Player of the Week awards, Freshman of the Year recognition and selections to the All-HBCUAC First Team, All-Defensive Team and All-Tournament Team.

Booker gave SUNO a strong presence inside during his debut season, averaging 14.9 points and 7.7 rebounds per game. The center earned Newcomer of the Year honors, a Second Team All-HBCUAC selection and a spot on the All-Tournament Team.

Together, they helped fuel a championship run that required SUNO to beat three of the conference’s top teams.

After finishing fourth in the HBCUAC West Division, the Knights defeated East Division champion Stillman on its home floor in the quarterfinals of the Hope Credit Union HBCUAC Basketball Championship. SUNO then knocked off West Division No. 2 seed Philander Smith in the semifinals before beating top-seeded Tougaloo for the title.

The championship sent the Knights to the opening round of the NAIA National Championship for the first time since 2012.

Nearly all of SUNO’s contributing players return for a season the program has named The Run Back. That continuity gives the Knights an experienced group, though the preseason poll suggests plenty of competition awaits.

Tougaloo finished second with 188 points. Stillman placed third with 163 points and one first-place vote, followed by Dillard with 156. Talladega received the remaining first-place vote and finished fifth with 150 points, just ahead of Philander Smith’s 148.

Fans can follow the 2026–27 season on the Urban Edge Network. The 2027 Hope Credit Union HBCUAC Basketball Championship is scheduled for February 24–28 at Ellis Davis Fieldhouse in Dallas.

2026–27 Preseason All-HBCUAC First Team

Preseason Player of the Year: Jaylon Hicks, SUNO

2026–27 HBCUAC Men’s Basketball Predicted Order of Finish