The St. Thomas Aquinas College Men's Basketball team continues to be well-represented with postseason honors this spring, as the annual Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association awards were released on Thursday. Starrell Hearns was named First Team selection, while Derrick James was tabbed with Second Team kudos.
Hearns played in all 29 games for the Spartans, while averaging 26.3 minutes per contest. The Carteret, New Jersey native ranks first on the team in total minutes played (763), points per game (17.7), total points (512 - 4th ECC), rebounds per game (5.6), total rebounds (161), total steals (58 - 1st ECC), total field goals made (184 - 3rd ECC), total three-point field goals made (62 - 4th ECC) and total free throws made (82). He was also second on the squad in minutes per game (26.3), assists per game (2.6), total assists (77), steals per game (2.0 - 4th ECC). Starell tallied his 1,000th career point on December 10, and received recognition by the East Coast Conference with Player of the Week recognition on both January 26 and February 23. The Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association also acknowledged Star's work on the hardwood with Division II/III accolades on February 24.
James suited up in 22 games for the maroon and gold, while averaging 27.7 minutes per contest. The Columbus, Ohio resident ranks first on the team in assists per game (5.7 - 2nd ECC, 11th NCAA), total assists (125 - 3rd ECC) and steals per game (2.5 - 2nd ECC). He was also second on the squad in points per game (12.8), total steals (54 - 5th ECC), three-point field goal percentage (43.1 percent - 1st ECC) and third in total points (281) and total free throws made (57). Derrick recorded his 1,000th career point on January 21 and his 500th assist on February 22.
Hearns and James were also named All-Conference First Team selections by the East Coast Conference on March 3.
The 2025-26 All-Met teams will be honored at the 93rd MBWA Haggerty Awards dinner on Thursday, April 23, at the Sleepy Hollow Hotel & Conference Center in Tarrytown, NY. The Haggerty dinner is the longest running, media-managed college basketball awards program in the United States.