DANBURY, Conn.- The Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) announced its 2026 Division III Women's Basketball postseason awards, with Hunter College senior guard Alexa Charles earning ECAC Player of the Year honors, while also being named to the All-ECAC First Team.
Charles continues to solidify her place among the elite players in Division III, delivering one of the most dominant seasons in the country. She leads all of Division III in scoring at 30.9 points per game and total points with 773, while extending her double-digit scoring streak to 97 consecutive games.
A two-way standout, Charles has been equally impactful on the defensive end, leading the nation in total steals (156) and steals per game (6.24). Her 576 career steals stand as the all-time record, further highlighting her disruptive presence. Offensively, she also ranks first in the country in field goals made (301), while adding 204 rebounds on the season, averaging 8.2 per game from the guard position.
"Lex's impact on our program and on the game is truly special," said head coach John Garrett. "What she's accomplished this season goes far beyond the numbers — it's her consistency, her leadership, and her ability to take over a game on both ends of the floor. To be recognized as the ECAC Player of the Year is a testament to the work she's put in every single day, and we couldn't be more proud of her."
Throughout the year, Charles has consistently delivered in key moments, elevating the Hawks against top competition while continuing to rewrite both program and national record books. Her selection to the All-ECAC First Team marks another milestone in a historic career, as she adds regional recognition to an already decorated résumé.
Charles' ECAC Player of the Year honor places her among the top student-athletes across the region and caps off a remarkable senior campaign for the Hawks.
ABOUT THE ECAC
The Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) is an 86-year-old intercollegiate athletics organization comprised of approximately 200 member institutions across all three NCAA divisions. The ECAC enhances the student-athlete experience by sponsoring championships, leagues, bowl games, tournaments, and other competitions nationwide. In addition, the ECAC operates a comprehensive esports program featuring over 300 schools, 4,000 teams, and more than 10,000 participants competing across 24 different game titles.
