Tyler Perkins and Duke Brennan from Villanova have been recognized as first team All-Philadelphia Big Five in the annual awards. Saint Joseph's Derek Simpson earned the title of Player of the Year, with Villanova's Acaden Lewis named Rookie of the Year. Steve Donahue of Saint Joseph's was awarded Coach of the Year, while Temple's Aiden Tobiason received the Most Improved Player accolade. Other honorees include Justice Ajogbor from Saint Joseph's, recognized as the Big 5 Scholar-Athlete of the Year for the second consecutive year. The All-Big 5 first team also includes standout players from other local universities.

By the Numbers
  • Derrian Ford led the Big 5 in scoring with an average of 18.1 points per game.
  • Derek Simpson led in free throw shooting, hitting 91.7% (99-108) from the line.
State of Play
  • Simpson's performance secured him a prominent role among the elite players of the Big 5.
  • Villanova dominated the All-Big 5 selections with three players on the first team.
  • The Philadelphia Big Five continues to showcase local talent and competitive play among area universities.
What's Next

The upcoming season will see players like Perkins, Brennan, and Lewis aiming to build on their successes and further establish their teams in the competitive college basketball landscape. Coaches will seek to leverage these awards to attract more talent and spotlight their programs in future recruitments.

Bottom Line

The Philadelphia Big Five awards highlight the strong local college basketball scene, underscoring the impact of key players and coaches. This recognition is not just a celebration of individual talent but a collectively rising standard for collegiate basketball in the region.