PORTLAND, Ore. (Oct. 20) – After helping his team to a runner-up league finish and NCAA Tournament berth in his debut season, Alaska Anchorage senior Sylas Williams has been chosen the 2026-27 Great Northwest Athletic Conference Preseason Player of the Year for men's basketball.

The reigning GNAC Newcomer of the Year and a Second Team All-GNAC selection, Williams was picked in voting by the league's 10 head coaches.

As a junior, the Bothell, Wash., native led UAA with 13.3 points, a GNAC-best 7.7 rebounds and 0.9 blocks per game, along with 50 three-pointers. He posted 11 double-doubles to help the Seawolves finish 22-11 overall, capturing MVP honors in the Alaska/Hawaii Challenge and all-tournament at the GNAC Championships.

"Sylas is a relentless worker who comes in every day and leads by example," said UAA head coach Cameron Turner. "His energy and effort are incredibly consistent, and you know exactly what you're going to get from him every time he steps on the floor. He can make shots, but what really separates him is how hard he competes and how dominant he can be on the glass. Off the court, Sylas is an absolute joy to be around and represents being a Seawolf in the right way."

A transfer from Skagit Valley College, Williams was at his best as the season wore on in 2025-26, scoring 30 points with 11 rebounds to power UAA's GNAC semifinals double-overtime victory over Alaska Fairbanks, and going for 19 points and 11 rebounds in a narrow NCAA loss to CSU Dominguez Hills. He also had big games of 16 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists against NCAA qualifier Northwest Nazarene, and 28 points and 10 rebounds in a home win over MSU Billings.

Williams and the Seawolves open the season with home games against Evergreen State, Nov. 6-7 at the Alaska Airlines Center. Find tickets, roster, schedule and more at GoSeawolves.com.