Top athletes from the New York region

March 17, 2026

Three teams from the New York City area—St. John’s, LIU, and Hofstra—are set to compete in the upcoming tournament. Moreover, several standout players from the region are grabbing attention, and here’s a look at some of the best.

All Area March Madness First Team

Senior Forward Tobe Awaka

(9.4 PPG, 9.5 RPG)

School: Arizona

Hometown: Hyde Park, New York

Awaka, who previously starred at Cardinal Hayes, is recognized as one of the sport’s finest young talents—a relentless rebounder and a tough defender. This season, he achieved career-best numbers in both points and rebounds, playing a key role for one of the top college teams.

Senior Guard Nick Boyd

(20.6 PPG, 4.2 APG)

School: Wisconsin

Hometown: Garnerville, New York

Boyd, now in his fifth year, has blossomed into a star at Wisconsin, emerging as a potent scoring threat for the Badgers. His incredible 38-point game in the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals set a new program record.

Senior Forward Jaxel Lendeborg

(14.6 PPG, 7.0 RPG)

School: Michigan

Hometown: Pennsauken, New Jersey

Lendeborg’s path from junior college to becoming the Big Ten Player of the Year is notable. As a versatile two-way player, he is projected to be a lottery pick in the upcoming NBA draft and is expected to secure first-team All-American honors.

Senior Guard Otega Owe

(18.2 PPG, 4.6 RPG)

School: Kentucky

Hometown: Newark, New Jersey

Owe led Kentucky through a strong finish after a rocky start. His physical play has made him essential for the Wildcats in scoring, distributing, and defensive roles.

Father G. Preston Edmead

(15.9 PPG, 5.4 APG)

School: Hofstra

Hometown: Deer Park, Illinois

Edmead, named CAA Freshman of the Year, made a significant impact for Hofstra, aiding them in reaching their first NCAA Tournament in 25 years. A memorable moment was his buzzer-beater through the glass to beat Towson in the CAA Tournament semifinals.