The Mid-American Conference announced on March 11 that Javontae Campbell of Bowling Green has received three major honors for the 2025-26 men’s basketball season. Campbell was named MAC Defensive Player of the Year, selected to the All-MAC First Team, and included in the All-MAC Defensive Team.
These awards highlight Campbell’s significant impact on both ends of the court and continue a tradition for Bowling Green, which has had at least one player named to an All-MAC team for 25 consecutive seasons. Campbell is now the third Falcon to earn MAC Defensive Player of the Year, joining DeMar Moore (1997) and Richaun Holmes (2015). He also becomes the first player in program history to be named to the All-MAC Defensive Team more than once.
Campbell, from Muskogee, Oklahoma, led the nation with 96 steals this season, averaging 3.1 steals per game. This total broke his own school record set last year and ranks third all-time in conference history. He was also recognized nationally as one of only 15 players named to the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Late-Season Team and is a finalist for the Lefty Driesell Award.
Offensively, Campbell stood out as one of just two players in the conference to rank among the top ten during league play in points, assists, and steals. He leads in points per game (21.4) and steals (2.4), while ranking third in assists (6.0). With only 18 points needed to enter Bowling Green’s top ten single-season scoring list—and already among its top ten for assists—he could join Antonio Daniels as one of only two Falcons ever to achieve top-ten status in both categories during a single season if he reaches that mark during postseason play.
Other MAC specialty award winners include Travis Steele (Miami) as Coach of the Year and Peter Suder (Miami) as Player of the Year. The full list of honorees includes athletes from Akron, Kent State, Toledo, Massachusetts, Buffalo, Ohio, Central Michigan, and Eastern Michigan.
Looking ahead, Campbell’s achievements place him among elite company within both Bowling Green’s program history and across Division I basketball.
