VCU’s dominance in the Atlantic 10 this season was reflected in the conference’s annual awards, with grad guard Max Shulga being named A-10 Player of the Year, the league announced Tuesday.
Shulga, a 6-foot-5 guard from Kyiv, Ukraine, also earned First Team All-Atlantic 10 honors, leading a strong group of Rams recognized for their contributions to VCU’s regular-season championship and 15-3 conference record.
Grad guard Zeb Jackson was named A-10 Sixth Man of the Year, while fellow grad guard Joe Bamisile landed on the All-Atlantic 10 Second Team and All-Academic Team. Freshman forward Luke Bamgboye picked up both All-Defensive and All-Rookie team honors after a stellar first season.
His impact is all over the stat sheet: he ranks third in the A-10 in steals and fourth in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.3-to-1). He’s dropped 20+ points eight times and recorded two double-doubles this year.
Shulga is just the third Ram to win A-10 Player of the Year, joining Bones Hyland (2021) and Ace Baldwin Jr. (2023). He also becomes only the second VCU player to earn multiple First Team All-A-10 honors, alongside Treveon Graham.
He is the first VCU player to win Sixth Man of the Year since Melvin Johnson in 2014.
Bamgboye made a name for himself as one of the A-10’s top rim protectors, ranking 19th nationally in blocks (65). The 6-foot-10 freshman from London is averaging 3.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game, while ranking second in the country in block percentage (15.0%). He’s also closing in on VCU’s single-season top-10 blocks list.
VCU and its All-Conference honorees will be back in action on Friday, March 14, facing either Duquesne or St. Bonaventure in the A-10 Tournament quarterfinals. Tip-off is set for 11:30 a.m and will be broadcast on USA Network.
Shulga, a 6-foot-5 guard from Kyiv, Ukraine, also earned First Team All-Atlantic 10 honors, leading a strong group of Rams recognized for their contributions to VCU’s regular-season championship and 15-3 conference record.
Grad guard Zeb Jackson was named A-10 Sixth Man of the Year, while fellow grad guard Joe Bamisile landed on the All-Atlantic 10 Second Team and All-Academic Team. Freshman forward Luke Bamgboye picked up both All-Defensive and All-Rookie team honors after a stellar first season.
SHULGA’S STANDOUT SEASON
Shulga has been the engine behind VCU’s 25-win season, which ties the program record for regular-season victories. He leads the team in scoring (15.5 ppg), assists (3.8 apg), and steals (1.9 spg) while ranking second in rebounding (5.9 rpg).His impact is all over the stat sheet: he ranks third in the A-10 in steals and fourth in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.3-to-1). He’s dropped 20+ points eight times and recorded two double-doubles this year.
Shulga is just the third Ram to win A-10 Player of the Year, joining Bones Hyland (2021) and Ace Baldwin Jr. (2023). He also becomes only the second VCU player to earn multiple First Team All-A-10 honors, alongside Treveon Graham.
JACKSON HONORED SIXTH MAN OF THE YEAR
Jackson has embraced his role as VCU’s top reserve, averaging 10.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.2 steals per game in just 22.1 minutes of action. He’s also been lethal at the free throw line, hitting 89.7% (78-of-87)—best in the A-10 and 14th nationally.He is the first VCU player to win Sixth Man of the Year since Melvin Johnson in 2014.
BAMISILE AND BAMGBOYE MAKE THEIR MARK
Bamisile earned Second Team All-A-10 and All-Academic honors, averaging 15.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.9 assists while shooting 46.7% from the field. The 6-foot-4 guard has also been a force defensively with 24 blocks this season. Off the court, he’s excelling in the classroom, carrying a 3.75 GPA while pursuing a Master’s in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling.Bamgboye made a name for himself as one of the A-10’s top rim protectors, ranking 19th nationally in blocks (65). The 6-foot-10 freshman from London is averaging 3.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game, while ranking second in the country in block percentage (15.0%). He’s also closing in on VCU’s single-season top-10 blocks list.
VCU and its All-Conference honorees will be back in action on Friday, March 14, facing either Duquesne or St. Bonaventure in the A-10 Tournament quarterfinals. Tip-off is set for 11:30 a.m and will be broadcast on USA Network.
