STWF Sports | NEW ORLEANS | March 6, 2026  — A season marked by consistent production and defensive intensity earned three members of the New Orleans Privateers men’s basketball recognition Friday morning as the Southland Conference released its annual All-Conference selections.

Senior guard Coleton Benson and veteran playmaker Jakevion Buckley were both named second-team All-Southland, while forward Churchill Abass earned a spot on the conference’s All-Defensive Team.

The honors highlight the trio’s impact during a season that saw New Orleans remain competitive throughout conference play while building momentum heading into postseason action.

Benson’s Historic Shooting Season

Benson delivered one of the most efficient scoring campaigns in program history. The senior finished the regular season ranked No. 1 in the Southland Conference and No. 3 nationally in free throw percentage, converting an impressive 92.5 percent of his attempts from the line. The mark set both a program and conference single-season record.

Beyond the charity stripe, Benson also proved to be one of the conference’s top perimeter threats. He ranked second in the Southland in three-point percentage at 36.1 percent and second in total three-pointers made with 84. That total stands as the fourth-highest single-season mark in school history.

Benson connected on multiple three-pointers in 20 games this season and averaged 16.2 points per contest — the sixth-highest scoring average in the conference. His offensive output included 10 games of 20 or more points and a league-best four performances of 30 points or more.

One of his most memorable outings came in November when he poured in 33 points in a road game against Tulane, a performance that earned him Southland Conference Player of the Week honors.

Buckley’s All-Around Impact

Buckley, affectionately known as “Jay,” secured his second consecutive All-Southland second-team selection after another standout season directing the Privateers’ offense.

The veteran guard finished the regular season leading the conference in both total assists and assists per game, averaging 5.67 per contest. His 170 assists ranked No. 4 on the program’s single-season list while placing him among the top 30 players nationally in total assists.

Buckley recorded three games with 10 or more assists — tied for the most in the conference this season — including a season-high 13 assists in the regular-season finale against his former team, Southeastern.

His impact extended beyond distributing the basketball. Buckley averaged 14.2 points per game while ranking third in the Southland in total steals with 52 and fifth in steals per game at 1.73.

The versatile guard also posted three double-doubles this season, including two points-and-assists performances. His ability to fill the stat sheet consistently made him one of the conference’s most complete guards.

Abass Anchors the Defense

While Benson and Buckley fueled the offense, Abass established himself as the defensive backbone of the Privateers.

The junior forward earned a place on the Southland Conference All-Defensive Team after finishing second in the league in total blocks and blocks per game. Abass recorded 56 blocks this season, the seventh-highest single-season total in program history and the most by a Privateer since 1995.

His average of 1.81 blocks per game ranked No. 38 nationally, underscoring his importance protecting the rim.

Abass delivered one of the conference’s top defensive performances of the season when he blocked six shots against Stephen F. Austin — tying for the most blocks in a single game by any Southland player this year.

He also contributed on the glass, posting two double-digit rebound games, including a 13-point, 10-rebound performance against Mississippi State earlier in the season.

Abass becomes just the second player in program history to earn Southland All-Defensive Team honors, joining Travin Thibodaux, who received the distinction during the 2016–17 season.

Postseason Awaits

With three players recognized among the conference’s best, the Privateers now turn their attention to the postseason.

New Orleans enters the Southland Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament as the No. 5 seed and will open tournament play Sunday in Lake Charles against No. 8 seed Houston Christian Huskies. Tipoff is scheduled for 5 p.m.

The winner of that matchup will advance to face Texas A&M–Corpus Christi Islanders in the next round.

For a New Orleans team that has leaned on leadership, shooting and defensive intensity all season, the conference honors serve as validation — and perhaps a preview of what the Privateers hope will be a strong postseason run.