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Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Parker and Vanterpool Claim American Postseason Awards
3/10/2026 11:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
BOCA RATON, Fla. -- Florida Atlantic men's basketball guard Josiah Parker was named the 2026 American Freshman of the Year, and redshirt sophomore guard Devin Vanterpool was named the American's Most Improved Player of the Year, as announced by the league on Tuesday morning.
Parker received the American Freshman of the Year title after claiming seven freshman of the week awards throughout the 2025-26 season. This award marks back-to-back seasons in which Florida Atlantic has produced the freshman of the year. Parker recorded single-game bests of 25 points, most by an Owl freshman since 2019, as well as 14 rebounds, most by an Owl in a game since Vlad Goldin in 2023 and the most by an FAU freshman since Madiaw Niang in 2018. Across seven games during the month of February, Parker averaged 16.5 points per game to go with 9.8 rebounds per game while also making the first three starts of his collegiate career. In conference play, he led the Owls with a total of 149 boards in 18 games. He finished the regular season with 288 points, 181 rebounds, 35 assists, and 18 steals. Parker finished the regular season with a total of six double-doubles, four of them coming in consecutive games in the month of February.
The Laurel, Maryland, native Vanterpool was named the American's Most Improved Player and was named third team all-conference. Starting in 24 games, the redshirt sophomore set career-highs in every statistical category this season, leading the Owls with 15.8 points per game and 37 steals. Vanterpool was named on the American's weekly honorable mention list twice and was the only Owl to register 30 points in a game this season, the first FAU player to reach that mark since Johnell Davis in January of 2024. He led the team with a total of eight 20+ point games on the year.
AMERICAN TOURNAMENT TICKETS
All-session ticket packages are now on sale for the 2026 American Conference Basketball Championships. Click here to purchase tickets.
FOLLOW THE OWLS
To stay up to date on all things FAU men's basketball, follow the Owls on social media @FAUMBB.
Florida Atlantic's 2025-26 season is sponsored by Phil Smith Kia/Phil Smith Acura.
Parker received the American Freshman of the Year title after claiming seven freshman of the week awards throughout the 2025-26 season. This award marks back-to-back seasons in which Florida Atlantic has produced the freshman of the year. Parker recorded single-game bests of 25 points, most by an Owl freshman since 2019, as well as 14 rebounds, most by an Owl in a game since Vlad Goldin in 2023 and the most by an FAU freshman since Madiaw Niang in 2018. Across seven games during the month of February, Parker averaged 16.5 points per game to go with 9.8 rebounds per game while also making the first three starts of his collegiate career. In conference play, he led the Owls with a total of 149 boards in 18 games. He finished the regular season with 288 points, 181 rebounds, 35 assists, and 18 steals. Parker finished the regular season with a total of six double-doubles, four of them coming in consecutive games in the month of February.
The Laurel, Maryland, native Vanterpool was named the American's Most Improved Player and was named third team all-conference. Starting in 24 games, the redshirt sophomore set career-highs in every statistical category this season, leading the Owls with 15.8 points per game and 37 steals. Vanterpool was named on the American's weekly honorable mention list twice and was the only Owl to register 30 points in a game this season, the first FAU player to reach that mark since Johnell Davis in January of 2024. He led the team with a total of eight 20+ point games on the year.
AMERICAN TOURNAMENT TICKETS
All-session ticket packages are now on sale for the 2026 American Conference Basketball Championships. Click here to purchase tickets.
FOLLOW THE OWLS
To stay up to date on all things FAU men's basketball, follow the Owls on social media @FAUMBB.
Florida Atlantic's 2025-26 season is sponsored by Phil Smith Kia/Phil Smith Acura.
Players Mentioned
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