Mid-American Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year
Men's college basketball award
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The Mid-American Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year is an award given to the most outstanding men's basketball player in the Mid-American Conference (MAC). The award was first given following the 1967–68 season. Four players have won the award multiple times: Tom Kozelko, Ron Harper, Gary Trent and Bonzi Wells. Trent is the only player to have been honored as player of the year three times (1993–95). There have been no ties, nor has any player from the MAC ever won any of the national player of the year awards. Through 2026, Ohio has the most all-time winners with 11. Toledo is second with eight winners. All current members of the MAC have had at least one winner except UMass, which played its first MAC season in 2025–26.
| |
| Awarded for | the most outstanding basketball player in the Mid-American Conference |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| History | |
| First award | 1968 |
| Most recent | Peter Suder, Miami |
Key
| † | Co-Players of the Year |
| * | Awarded a national player of the year award: Helms Foundation College Basketball Player of the Year (1904–05 to 1978–79) UPI College Basketball Player of the Year (1954–55 to 1995–96) Naismith College Player of the Year (1968–69 to present) John R. Wooden Award (1976–77 to present) |
| Player (X) | Denotes the number of times the player has been awarded the MAC Player of the Year award at that point |
Winners
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Winners by school
| School (year joined) | Winners | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio (1947) | 11 | 1971, 1974, 1984, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 2013, 2016 |
| Toledo (1951) | 8 | 1969, 1972, 1973, 1980, 1981, 2018, 2021, 2023 |
| Miami (1948) | 7 | 1968, 1978, 1985, 1986, 1999, 2009, 2026 |
| Akron (1992) | 5 | 2007, 2017, 2020, 2024, 2025 |
| Buffalo (1999) | 5 | 2005, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2019 |
| Bowling Green (1952) | 4 | 1970, 1997, 2000, 2002 |
| Central Michigan (1972) | 4 | 1975, 1982, 2001, 2003 |
| Kent State (1951) | 4 | 2006, 2008, 2011, 2022 |
| Western Michigan (1948) | 4 | 1976, 1987, 2004, 2010 |
| Ball State (1973) | 3 | 1983, 1996, 1998 |
| Eastern Michigan (1972) | 2 | 1988, 1991 |
| Northern Illinois (1973/1997)[a] | 2 | 1977, 1979 |
| Marshall (1954/1997)[b] | 0 | — |
| UMass (2025) | 0 | — |
- a Northern Illinois University was a member from 1973 to 1986, then left for a period. They rejoined in 1997, continuing as a member until leaving in 2026 for the Horizon League (with football joining the Mountain West Conference).}}
- b Marshall University was a member starting in 1954 before being expelled from the conference in 1969 due to NCAA violations. The Thundering Herd rejoined in 1997, but left in 2005 for Conference USA.