Williams Named to Preseason All-CUSA Basketball Team
October 08, 2026 | Men's Basketball
DALLAS – Missouri State guard Trey Williams Jr., was named to the Preseason All-Conference USA Men's Basketball Team, the league announced Thursday afternoon.
Williams, a sophomore from Centralia, Ill., is one of 10 players selected by the league coaches to represent CUSA on this year's preseason all-conference squad.
His 321 points last season matched the third-highest scoring total ever by a Missouri State freshman. He averaged 9.4 points and 3.2 assists per game in 2025-26 while starting all 34 contests. Williams finished second on the squad in 3-pointers (63), 3-point percentage (.368) and assists (109) and ranked fourth in CUSA (90th nationally) in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.42). He was also named CUSA Freshman of the Week on Jan. 5 after averaging 12.7 points per game in MSU's first three CUSA games. He scored in double figures 21 times and led the Bears in assists 11 times.
Williams and backcourt mate Melakih Cunningham represent Missouri State's two returning starters from last season along with fellow returning letterman Cameron Boone. Coach Cuonzo Martin's third season at the helm will feature 12 newcomers when the Bears open the 2026-27 campaign on Nov. 3 with five consecutive home games to start the campaign.
Joining Williams on the Preseason All-CUSA Team were:
The CUSA Preseason Coaches Poll was also released Thursday with Western Kentucky earning five of the 10 first-place votes and 90 points overall to edge out Kennesaw State (90), Liberty (79) and Sam Houston (64) for the top four spots. Missouri State was picked eighth with 28 points.
CUSA's Preseason Preview Show, featuring the league's 20 men's and women's head coaches and player representatives from all teams, will air on ESPN+ on Thursday, Oct. 15.
Under coach Cuonzo Martin, Missouri State made a seven-win improvement in 2025-26 from the previous season, making a run to the Conference USA Tournament semifinals after upsetting top-seeded Liberty in the event's quarterfinals. The Bears return two backcourt starters and three lettermen for Martin's third season back with the program.
Williams, a sophomore from Centralia, Ill., is one of 10 players selected by the league coaches to represent CUSA on this year's preseason all-conference squad.
His 321 points last season matched the third-highest scoring total ever by a Missouri State freshman. He averaged 9.4 points and 3.2 assists per game in 2025-26 while starting all 34 contests. Williams finished second on the squad in 3-pointers (63), 3-point percentage (.368) and assists (109) and ranked fourth in CUSA (90th nationally) in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.42). He was also named CUSA Freshman of the Week on Jan. 5 after averaging 12.7 points per game in MSU's first three CUSA games. He scored in double figures 21 times and led the Bears in assists 11 times.
Williams and backcourt mate Melakih Cunningham represent Missouri State's two returning starters from last season along with fellow returning letterman Cameron Boone. Coach Cuonzo Martin's third season at the helm will feature 12 newcomers when the Bears open the 2026-27 campaign on Nov. 3 with five consecutive home games to start the campaign.
Joining Williams on the Preseason All-CUSA Team were:
- Tijan Saine Jr., G, FIU
- Trey Simpson, F, Kennesaw State
- Amir Taylor, F, Kennesaw State
- Jahvin Carter, G, MTSU
- DJ Dudley, G, NM State
- Justin Begg, G, Sam Houston
- Jacobe Coleman, G, Sam Houston
- Armelo Boone, G, WKU
- Teagan Moore, G, WKU (Preseason Player of the Year)
The CUSA Preseason Coaches Poll was also released Thursday with Western Kentucky earning five of the 10 first-place votes and 90 points overall to edge out Kennesaw State (90), Liberty (79) and Sam Houston (64) for the top four spots. Missouri State was picked eighth with 28 points.
CUSA's Preseason Preview Show, featuring the league's 20 men's and women's head coaches and player representatives from all teams, will air on ESPN+ on Thursday, Oct. 15.
Under coach Cuonzo Martin, Missouri State made a seven-win improvement in 2025-26 from the previous season, making a run to the Conference USA Tournament semifinals after upsetting top-seeded Liberty in the event's quarterfinals. The Bears return two backcourt starters and three lettermen for Martin's third season back with the program.
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