OFFICIAL SOUTHLAND RELEASE
NEW ORLEANS – Churchill Abass,
Coleton Benson and
Jakevion Buckley were honored by the league office with the release of the league's All-Southland selections Friday morning.
Benson was named second-team All-Southland after a tremendous season on the floor. Coleton finished the regular season ranked No. 1 in the SLC and No. 3 in the NCAA in free throw percentage after sinking 92.5% of his attempts this season — both UNO and Southland single-season records. He also ranked second in the league in both 3-point percentage (36.1%) and 3-pointers made (84). His 84 makes from beyond the arc are the fourth most in a single season in school history. Coleton had 20 games this season with multiple 3-pointers made.
The senior averaged 16.2 points per game this season — the sixth most in the league — with 10 games of 20 or more points and a league-high four games of 30 or more points. Benson was named Southland Player of the Week in November after a 33-point outburst at Tulane.
Buckley earned his second straight All-Southland second-team selection for his efforts on the floor this season. "Jay" ranked No. 1 in the SLC and No. 28 in the NCAA in total assists, and No. 1 in the SLC and No. 32 in the NCAA in assists per game (5.67). His 170 assists this season are the fourth most in a single season in program history. He had three games of 10 or more assists this season — tied for first in the league — and his 13 assists in the season finale against his former team, Southeastern, were the most in the league this season.
Jay also ranked No. 3 in the Southland in total steals (52) and No. 5 in steals per game (1.73) — both marks ranking among the top 100 in the NCAA. His 14.2 points per game ranked 11th in the league as well.
The veteran Southland guard had three double-doubles this season, including two points-assists double-doubles. He was the only student-athlete in the Southland with multiple games of 12 or more field goals this season, one of 11 Southland student-athletes with a game of 30 or more points this season and had six games of 20 or more points. His six steals at Nicholls were tied for the most in a game by anyone in the league this season as well.
Joining Benson and Buckley as second-team All-Southland this season are Micah Thomas (Northwestern State), Filip Brankovic (UTRGV), and Davion Bailey (UIW). The first team is Keon Thompson (SFA), Larry Johnson (McNeese), Lateef Patrick (SFA), Koree Cotton (UTRGV) and Tyshawn Archie (McNeese).
Abass was named to the league's All-Defensive Team. Abass ranked No. 2 in the Southland and No. 28 in the NCAA in total blocks, and No. 2 in the Southland and No. 38 in the NCAA in blocks per game (1.81). His 56 blocks this season are the seventh most in a single season in program history, and the Nigerian is the first Privateer with 50 or more blocks in a single season since 1995.
Church blocked six shots against Stephen F. Austin — tied for the most blocks in a single game by any student-athlete in the Southland this season. The junior had two games with double-digit rebounds this season, including a 13-point, 10-rebound effort at Mississippi State. He is the second Privateer in program history to be named to the Southland's All-Defensive Team, joining Travin Thibodaux (2016-17).
Joining Abass on the league's All-Defensive Team were Jared Colonel (SFA), Garwey Dual (McNeese), Koree Cotton (UTRGV) and Leo Torbor (Texas A&M-Corpus Christi).
UNO takes the floor as the No. 5 seed in the Southland Conference Tournament on Sunday in Lake Charles. Tipoff against the No. 8 seed HCU is set for 5 p.m., with the winner set to face Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Monday evening. All games in the Southland Conference Tournament will air live on ESPN+ and locally on The Ticket 106.7 FM.
NEW ORLEANS ALL-SOUTHLAND SELECTIONS (11)
2025-2026
Coleton Benson 2nd Team
2025-2026
Jakevion Buckley 2nd Team
2023-2024 Jordan Johnson 2nd Team
2022-2023 Jordan Johnson 2nd Team
2021-2022 Troy Green 1st Team
2021-2022 Derek St. Hilaire 1st Team
2020-2021 Damion Rosser 2nd Team
2019-2020 Bryson Robinson 3rd Team
2018-2019 Ezekiel Charles 3rd Team
2016-2017 Erik Thomas 1st Team
2015-2016 Christavious Gil 3rd Team
2013-2014 Cory Dixon 3rd Team
NEW ORLEANS SOUTHLAND ALL-DEFENSE SELECTIONS (2)
2025-2026
Churchill Abass
2016-2017 Travin Thibodaux
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