University of St. Thomas Athletics
Nolan Minessale selected as Lou Henson Award Finalist
3/13/2026 11:11:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Sophomore is 1 of 30 up for the nation’s top player in mid-major college basketball
BOSTON, Mass. -- CollegeInsider.com has announced the finalists for the 2025-26 Lou Henson award, presented annually to the top player in mid-major in Division I college basketball, which includes St. Thomas men's basketball sophomore guard Nolan Minessale.
The award honors the former Illinois and New Mexico State head coach who won 775 games in 41 seasons.
Players on teams from the following conferences are eligible for the award: America East, Atlantic Sun, Big Sky, Big South, Big West, Colonial, Horizon, Ivy, Metro Atlantic, Mid-American, Mid-Eastern, Missouri Valley, Northeast, Ohio Valley, Patriot, Southern, Southland, Southwestern, Summit, Sun Belt, Western Athletic, and West Coast.
The recipient of the annual award is determined by a 10-member voting committee, which consists of current and former head coaches, as well as two senior staff members of CollegeInsider.com. The 2026 award will be announced in Indianapolis, Ind., the site of the men's Division I Basketball Championship.
Minessale, a native of Brookfield, Wis., has put together one of the best individual seasons of the Tommies' Division I era as he is averaging 20.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.4 assists while shooting 50.9 percent from the field. He ranks 23rd nationally in total points, 34th in points per game and 36th in free throws, and is fourth with 22 20-point games this season. Minessale is one of seven players nationally with at least 20.0 points and 4.0 assists per game with an assist-to-turnover ratio of at least 2.0.
Minessale was a four-time Summit League Peak Performer of the Week and was named to the Summit League All-Tournament Team after totaling 22.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game through the semifinal round.
To view the full 2025-26 Lou Henson Award Finalist list, click HERE.
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For more information on St. Thomas Men's Basketball, follow along on X at @TommieMBBall and Instagram at @tommiehoops.
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For more information on the Lee & Penny Anderson, click HERE.
-- St. Thomas Athletics --
The award honors the former Illinois and New Mexico State head coach who won 775 games in 41 seasons.
Players on teams from the following conferences are eligible for the award: America East, Atlantic Sun, Big Sky, Big South, Big West, Colonial, Horizon, Ivy, Metro Atlantic, Mid-American, Mid-Eastern, Missouri Valley, Northeast, Ohio Valley, Patriot, Southern, Southland, Southwestern, Summit, Sun Belt, Western Athletic, and West Coast.
The recipient of the annual award is determined by a 10-member voting committee, which consists of current and former head coaches, as well as two senior staff members of CollegeInsider.com. The 2026 award will be announced in Indianapolis, Ind., the site of the men's Division I Basketball Championship.
Minessale, a native of Brookfield, Wis., has put together one of the best individual seasons of the Tommies' Division I era as he is averaging 20.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.4 assists while shooting 50.9 percent from the field. He ranks 23rd nationally in total points, 34th in points per game and 36th in free throws, and is fourth with 22 20-point games this season. Minessale is one of seven players nationally with at least 20.0 points and 4.0 assists per game with an assist-to-turnover ratio of at least 2.0.
Minessale was a four-time Summit League Peak Performer of the Week and was named to the Summit League All-Tournament Team after totaling 22.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game through the semifinal round.
To view the full 2025-26 Lou Henson Award Finalist list, click HERE.
Follow Along
For more information on St. Thomas Men's Basketball, follow along on X at @TommieMBBall and Instagram at @tommiehoops.
Join Us
For more information on the Lee & Penny Anderson, click HERE.
-- St. Thomas Athletics --
Players Mentioned
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