Jaden Bradley (Arizona) named Player of the Year:: Averaged 13.4 points and 4.6 assists, leading Arizona to a 16-2 conference record.
Tommy Lloyd (Arizona) named Coach of the Year:: Led Arizona to its first Big 12 regular-season title, amassing 141 wins in his first five seasons.
AJ Dybantsa (BYU) named Freshman of the Year:: Leads the nation in scoring with 24.7 points per game, the first BYU player to earn the award in the program’s three seasons in the league.
Brett Yormark advocates for Dybantsa:: The Big 12 Commissioner suggested Dybantsa should be considered for National Player of the Year, despite Bradley winning the conference award. Why does this matter? It highlights the impact a freshman can have and sparks debate about award criteria.
Other Award Winners:: Flory Bidunga (Kansas) - Defensive Player of the Year; Tamin Lipsey (Iowa State) - Scholar-Athlete of the Year; Melvin Council Jr. (Kansas) - Newcomer of the Year; Tobe Awaka (Arizona) - Sixth Man Award; Christian Anderson (Texas Tech) - Most Improved.
Arizona's strong showing in the awards reflects their successful season, securing the Big 12 regular-season title. Tommy Lloyd's coaching prowess and Jaden Bradley's leadership were pivotal to their success. However, the recognition of AJ Dybantsa as Freshman of the Year underscores his exceptional talent and potential impact on college basketball. Commissioner Yormark's endorsement further fuels the discussion about Dybantsa's national recognition. The Big 12 is expected to send eight or nine men’s teams to the NCAA Tournament.
All-Big 12 First Team: Jaden Bradley (Arizona), Brayden Burries (Arizona), Motiejus Krivas (Arizona), AJ Dybantsa (BYU), Emanuel Sharp (Houston), Kingston Flemings (Houston), Joshua Jefferson (Iowa State), Flory Bidunga (Kansas), Christian Anderson (Texas Tech), JT Toppin (Texas Tech).
The league also announced All-Defensive, All-Freshman, and All-Newcomer teams, recognizing a wide array of talent across the conference.
Q: Who won Big 12 Player of the Year in 2026?
Jaden Bradley from Arizona won the award.
Q: Who was named Big 12 Freshman of the Year?
AJ Dybantsa from BYU received the honor.
Q: How many Big 12 teams are expected to make the NCAA Tournament?
The commissioner expects eight or nine men’s teams to participate.
The 2026 Big 12 Men's Basketball Awards highlight the conference's top talent and the Arizona Wildcats' dominance. Keep an eye on AJ Dybantsa as a potential future star in college basketball. The Big 12 is poised for a strong showing in the NCAA Tournament.
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