Northwest Notes: Oct. 8, 2026
Coeur d'Alene Press | UPDATED 4 hours, 53 minutes AGO
Weems, Darling named to Mountain West preseason hoops list
LAS VEGAS — The Mountain West released its 2026-27 Preseason Men’s Basketball All-Conference team and preseason award winners Wednesday morning in conjunction with the start of Old Trapper Mountain West Basketball Media Day.
As voted on by selected media members, the preseason team is made up of five seniors, one junior and five sophomores.
New Mexico sophomore Jake Hall was selected as the Mountain West Preseason Player of the Year, while Grand Canyon senior Dylan Darling was named the MW Preseason Newcomer of the Year. UNLV rookie Jackson Kiss was voted the MW Preseason Freshman of the Year.
The 2026 Mountain West Freshman of the Year, Hall enters his sophomore campaign at New Mexico. Last season, he averaged 16.4 points and 3.2 rebounds as a starter in all 37 games.
Vaughn Weems, who played his freshman and sophomore seasons at North Idaho College, enters his senior season following a breakout year in which he appeared in 34 games with 25 starts. The guard emerged as one of Nevada’s biggest contributors on both ends of the floor and will play a key leadership role for the Wolf Pack.
A Spokane native, Darling joins Grand Canyon for his final collegiate season after playing one season at St. John’s, one season at Idaho State and two seasons at Washington State. He helped St. John’s to the NCAA Sweet 16 last season, averaging 6.9 points, 2.6 assists and 2.5 rebounds per game.
The full list can be found at www.themw.com.