Men's Basketball | 2/27/2026 3:00:00 PM
COLUMBIA, Ky. – The Mid-South Conference announced the 2025-26 postseason awards and All-Conference teams for men's basketball on Thursday, naming junior
Kenyata Carbon Player of the Year and First-Team honoree, and
Mihail Gavazov a Second-Team All-Mid-South selection.
This marks the third consecutive year the Blue Raiders have had multiple players earn All-Conference honors and the 15th time in program history.
Carbon, a native of Owensboro, Kentucky, becomes only the second player in program history to be voted Mid-South Conference Player of the Year, joining Scott Cook, who earned the award in 2005 and 2006. Carbon also stands as just the fourth player in conference history to win both Freshman of the Year and Player of the Year in their career.
This season, Carbon led Lindsey Wilson with 19.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game, while shooting 58.9 percent from the field and 36.8 percent from three-point range. He scored a season-high and career-high 33 points three separate times this season, all in conference play, and posted a double-double with 11 rebounds earlier in the year versus Cumberland (Tenn.). Carbon also earned six Player of the Week honors during the season and was tabbed NAIA National Player of the Week on January 13.
"We couldn't be prouder of Kenyata and the journey he's been on," praised head coach Chris Starks. "To go from the Mid-South Conference Freshman of the Year two seasons ago, to now being named Mid-South Conference Player of the Year shows the level of commitment he's made to his development. After facing some adversity during his sophomore season, he responded the right way, with maturity, humility, and hard work.
This year, he became a complete player, no doubt one of the most efficient players that I have ever coached. Kenyata led us in scoring and assists, improved his shooting efficiency and three-point percentage, and elevated his playmaking by creating opportunities for his teammates. His growth wasn't just individual; it translated directly into our team being more competitive night in and night out in the Mid-South Conference.
We are just as proud of who he is off the floor and in the classroom. This recognition reflects the total person he's becoming, and he's earned every bit of it."
Gavazov, a freshman from Sofia, Bulgaria, earns his first All-Conference recognition after a strong debut campaign. He averaged 11.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game, shooting 46.5 percent from the floor and 42.3 percent from beyond the arc. Gavazov delivered his best performance on February 21 at Cumberlands (Ky.), scoring a season-high 22 points and adding 15 rebounds in an impressive showing against Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) on Jan. 15.
Kenyata, Mihail, and their Blue Raider teammates are in Bowling Green this weekend, where they will face fifth-seeded Campbellsville (Ky.) for the third time in the quarterfinals of the Mid-South Conference Tournament at 2:30 p.m. CT on Saturday, February 28.
