NEW PALTZ, NY – The State University of New York New Paltz men's basketball team has been picked sixth in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Preseason Coaches Poll, while also earning the distinction of the conference's dark horse entering the 2026-27 campaign. 

The Hawks enter their inaugural NJAC season following a 13-13 overall record and an 11-7 mark in conference play during their final season in the SUNYAC. With a strong returning core and several new additions to the roster, SUNY New Paltz looks to establish itself as a contender in its new conference after being tabbed as this year's dark horse team to watch. 

Isaiah Rivera headlines the returning group after averaging 15.2 points and 7.1 rebounds per game last season, leading all returning Hawks in both categories. Rivera provides a proven presence on both ends of the floor, while Trevor Amalfitano adds another established scoring option after averaging 12.0 points per contest a season ago. 

SUNY New Paltz also welcomes transfers George Patsalos and Chris Whyte-Luciano, who bring valuable experience and additional depth to the Hawks' rotation. Under head coach Keith Kenney, New Paltz looks to build upon its returning core while embracing the challenge of competing in a new conference. 

Montclair State was selected as the preseason favorite following a vote of the conference's 10 head coaches, receiving four of the 10 possible first-place votes. The Red Hawks finished 17-1 in NJAC play last season to capture the regular-season championship. 

Stockton earned three first-place votes and was projected to finish second, while Rowan received the remaining three first-place votes and was picked third. 

TCNJ and Kean rounded out the top five, followed by SUNY New Paltz in sixth. Ramapo was selected seventh, while Rutgers-Newark, William Paterson and Rutgers-Camden completed the preseason rankings. 

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