University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Solomon Named Big South Preseason Player of the Year; Bulldogs Picked Second in Preseason Poll
10.15.2025 | Men's Basketball
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – The Big South Conference announced Wednesday (Oct. 15) that UNC Asheville's Toyaz Solomon has been named the Preseason Player of the Year. Kameron Taylor earned a spot on the All-Big South Preseason Second Team, while the Bulldogs were picked to finish second in the conference's preseason poll.
SOLOMON'S PRESEASON HONOR
Toyaz Solomon is the sixth Bulldog to earn preseason player of the year recognition, while this is the seventh time Asheville has had a player recognized.
1997-98 Josh Pittman
1998-99 Kevin Martin
2002-03 Andre Smith
2011-12 Matt Dickey
2022-23 Drew Pember
2023-24 Drew Pember
2025-26 Toyaz Solomon
Last season, Solomon was the only Bulldog to start all 32 games, serving as one of UNC Asheville's most consistent and impactful performers. Toyaz Solomon proved to be a force on both ends of the floor last season as he was second on the team in scoring with 15.7 points per game while leading the Bulldogs in field goal percentage (.610), rebounds (7.2 per game), and blocked shots (51). Within the Big South, Solomon finished sixth in scoring, fifth in rebounding, and first in blocked shots.
Logging 1,001 total minutes—a team-high 31.3 per contest—Solomon delivered career-best outings throughout the year, including 24 points against North Florida (Dec. 17), 15 rebounds at Central Arkansas (Nov. 24), six assists versus Longwood (Feb. 22), and six blocks against UNCW (Dec. 21). In Asheville's conference-opening win over High Point (Jan. 4), he tallied a career-high 11 made field goals.
A model of consistency, Solomon reached double figures in 30 games, opened the scoring in eight contests, and led the team in points seven times. He topped the Bulldogs in rebounding 15 times and recorded five double-doubles on the season.
On the national stage, Solomon ranked 13th in field goal percentage, 31st in total field goals, and 47th in blocked shots. His standout season earned him Big South All-Conference Second Team honors. He returns for the 2025–26 campaign as the league's active leader in scoring, rebounding, and blocks per game.
Solomon has already earned Blue Ribbon Big South Preseason Player of the Year and Field of 68 Preseason Mid-Major All-American Second Team honors.
KAM TAYLOR'S HONORS
Kameron Taylor made an immediate impact in his collegiate debut season, emerging as a reliable sixth man for the Bulldogs. The freshman from Charlotte, N.C., finished as Asheville's fifth-leading scorer, averaging 8.9 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. Taylor served as the Bulldogs' leading scorer and rebounder in two contests each, showcasing his versatility and energy off the bench. He reached double figures in scoring 15 times, including a season-high 21 points against VU Lynchburg (Dec. 19) and a season-best eight rebounds versus Radford (Jan. 29). For his standout contributions throughout the season, Taylor was honored with a selection to the Big South All-Freshman Team.
This marks back-to-back seasons Asheville has had an individual earn preseason second-team all-conference honors, as Josh Banks earned the honor prior to last season. The Bulldogs have had at least one player named to the Big South Preseason First or Second Team every year since the 2019–20 season.
2025-26 Big South Conference Men's Basketball Preseason All-Conference Team
First-Team
Toyaz Solomon, UNC Asheville (Preseason Player of the Year)
Rob Martin, High Point
Scotty Washington, High Point
Elijah Tucker, Longwood
Jaylon Johnson, Radford
Second-Team
Kameron Taylor, UNC Asheville
Jonah Pierce, Presbyterian College
Daylen Berry, Winthrop
A'lahn Sumler, Charleston Southern
Karmani Gregory, USC Upstate
PRESEASON POLL
The annual preseason poll has defending champion High Point at the top with 80 points and eight first-place votes. Asheville followed with 68 points and one first-place vote.
1. High Point (8) – 802. UNC Asheville (1) – 68
3. Longwood – 53
4. Radford – 52
5. Winthrop – 51
6. Presbyterian College – 37
7. Charleston Southern – 27
8. Gardner-Webb – 19
9. USC Upstate – 18
Since the 2020-21 season, Asheville has been preseason picked in the top half of the league every season, with three second-place picks (the 2021-22 season, the league split into a north and south division, and Asheville was preseason picked second in the south division).
BIG SOUTH MEDIA DAY
Solomon and Head Coach Mike Morrell will attend Big South Media Day today (Oct. 15) in Johnson City, Tenn. They will be live on ESPN+ at 3:32 p.m., and their ESPN+ interviews can be watched here.
Below are all of the interviews the duo will be taking part in, and times for fans to tune in to watch/listen if the interview is live:
12:25–12:34 PM – MORRELL & SOLOMON – WXSM The Sports Monsters (Live)12:50–12:59 PM – MORRELL & SOLOMON – Fox Sports Radio Spartanburg
1:10–1:29 PM – MORRELL & SOLOMON – Daly Dose of Hoops
1:30–1:39 PM – MORRELL & SOLOMON – WJHL TV Sports Rookie Reporter
1:45–2:00 PM – MORRELL – Field of 68 Live Show
2:00-2:09 PM – MORRELL & SOLOMON – Winthrop Sports Network
2:20-2:29 PM – MORRELL – Big South Network
2:30-2:39 PM – MORRELL & SOLOMON – Johnson City Press
3:05-3:14 PM – MORRELL & SOLOMON – Rich Take On Sports (Live)
3:30-3:35 PM – MORRELL – ESPN+ Live Show
3:35-3:40 PM – SOLOMON – ESPN+ Live Show
TICKETING INFORMATION
Season tickets are on sale and can be purchased online HERE. All ticket inquiries can be directed to Harmon Turner at hturner@unca.edu or fans can visit the Ticket Central page.
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