By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Italy’s LBA UnipolSai officially announced its year-end awards for the 2025–26 Regular Season on Thursday, two days before the Playoffs tipoff. The winners were finalized through votes from clubs, media, and fans.
EA7 Emporio Armani Milan guard Armoni Brooks captured the prestigious Dino Meneghin Trophy as the Most Valuable Player of the season. The Texas native and former NBA guard dominated the competition by averaging 16.0 points and 4.2 rebounds per game, adding this accolade to his previous Frecciarossa Final Eight 2026 MVP honors.
Teammate and fellow former NBA guard Leandro Bolmaro was named the Best Defensive Player. Meanwhile, Amedeo Della Valle of Germani Brescia picked up the Best Italian Player award, anchoring his team alongside teammate Jason Burnell, who claimed the Sixth Man of the Year honors for his dynamic energy off the bench.
Rising stars also earned major recognition. Virtus Olidata Bologna’s Saliou Niang, a 2004-born prospect selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2025 NBA Draft, presented by State Farm, took home the Best Under 22 Player award. Additionally, Davide Casarin of Vanoli Cremona was named Most Improved Player.
Beyond standout players, Dimitris Priftis of UnaHotels Reggio Emilia was honored as the Coach of the Year.
List of LBA awards winners
Dino Meneghin Trophy – Unipol Most Valuable Player: Armoni Brooks (EA7 Emporio Armani Milan)
Best Domestic Player – Fastweb: Amedeo Della Valle (Germani Brescia)
Best Defensive Player – Pall-Ex: Leandro Bolmaro (EA7 Emporio Armani Milan)
Best Sixth Player – DOLE: Jason Burnell (Germani Brescia)
Most Improved Player – pokerstarsnews.it: Davide Casarin (Vanoli Cremona)
Best Under 22 Player – IBSA: Saliou Niang (Virtus Olidata Bologna)
Dream Team: Christian Vital (Bertram Derthona Tortona), Amedeo Della Valle (Germani Brescia), Armoni Brooks (EA7 Emporio Armani Milan), Jahmi’us Ramsey (Trieste), Miro Bilan (Germani Brescia)
Sandro Gamba Trophy – Coach of the Year – ERREA: Dimitris Priftis (UnaHotels Reggio Emilia)