Freshman Alex Wilkins of Furman has been named to the NABC All-South Atlantic District First Team after his standout performance in the 2026 SoCon Tournament, where he helped the Paladins clinch their second NCAA Tournament bid in four years. He scored a total of 65 points in three tournament games, including a career-high 34 points in the semifinal against UNC Greensboro, tying a school freshman record. For the season, he averaged 17.7 points and 4.7 assists per game, becoming the top-scoring freshman in Furman's history with 601 points. The Paladins, now with a record of 22-12, will face No. 2 seed UConn in the NCAA Tournament this Friday.

By the Numbers
  • Wilkins averaged 21.7 points per game in the SoCon Tournament.
  • He scored 34 points in the semifinal match, tying the school freshman record.
  • This season, he has reached double figures in scoring 28 times and hit 20 or more points 13 times.
Yes, But

While Wilkins' achievements are notable, the pressure will be on him as the Paladins face a higher-seeded opponent in UConn, a team with a strong NCAA Tournament pedigree. His performance in this high-stakes game could determine whether Furman can sustain their tournament momentum.

State of Play
  • The Paladins are in the NCAA Tournament as a No. 15 seed, competing against No. 2 seed UConn.
  • Furman is entering the tournament with a significant win streak after their SoCon victory.
What's Next

Furman will look to leverage their recent success and Wilkins' scoring ability against UConn, with hopes of pulling off an upset in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. A strong performance could propel them further in the tournament.

Bottom Line

Alex Wilkins' rapid rise as a key player for Furman underscores his potential, but success in the NCAA Tournament hinges on his ability to perform under pressure. The Paladins must harness this energy to continue their upset run.