University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Denker Named Lou Henson Award Finalist
3/12/2026 2:36:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BOSTON, Mass. – Northern Colorado's Quinn Denker has been named one of the finalists for the 2025-26 Lou Henson Award, presented annually to the top player in mid-major Division I men's college basketball, CollegeInsider.com announced Thursday.
Denker is one of 30 players nationwide selected as finalists for the prestigious honor, which recognizes the most outstanding mid-major player in the country. The award is named after legendary coach Lou Henson, who won 775 games during a 41-year career and remains the winningest coach in Illinois program history.
The senior guard has been a driving force behind Northern Colorado's success this season, leading the Bears while cementing his place in the program's record book. Denker broke the Northern Colorado single-season assists record this year and helped guide the Bears to one of the most successful offensive seasons in program history, as UNC also set a team record for assists in a season.
Denker's leadership and production have made him one of the top guards in the Big Sky Conference and a key catalyst for the Bears throughout the 2025-26 campaign.
The Lou Henson Award recipient will be announced in Indianapolis, Indiana, the site of the 2026 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship.
2025-26 Lou Henson Award Finalists
Austin Benigni – Navy
Zach Cleveland – Liberty
Dominique Daniels Jr. – California Baptist
Cruz Davis – Hofstra
Josiah Davis – CSUN
Brett Decker – Liberty
Quinn Denker – Northern Colorado
Gavin Doty – Siena
Logan Duncomb – Winthrop
Kyle Evans – UC Irvine
Delrecco Gillespie – Kent State
Bryce Harris – Howard
Jackson Holcombe – Utah Valley
Camren Hunter – Central Arkansas
Jaquan Johnson – Bradley
Tavari Johnson – Akron
Aidan Kehoe – Navy
Kevair Kennedy – Merrimack
Tyler Lundblade – Belmont
Terri Miller – Portland State
Nolan Minessale – St. Thomas (MN)
Paulius Murauskas – Saint Mary's
Darin Smith Jr. – Central Connecticut State
Peter Suder – Miami (OH)
Cedric Taylor III – Howard
Keon Thompson – Stephen F. Austin
Nick Townsend – Yale
Patrick Wesler – UNCW
Nasir Whitlock – Lehigh
Alex Wilkins – Furman
The award winner is selected by a 10-member voting committee comprised of current and former head coaches along with senior staff members from CollegeInsider.com.
FOLLOW THE BEARS: Fans can follow and stay up to date on all the Bear action at uncbears.com and on social media. Follow the Bears on X (formerly Twitter) (@UNC_BearsMBB), Instagram (@UNC_BearsMBB), and Facebook (/UNCBearsMBB).
Denker is one of 30 players nationwide selected as finalists for the prestigious honor, which recognizes the most outstanding mid-major player in the country. The award is named after legendary coach Lou Henson, who won 775 games during a 41-year career and remains the winningest coach in Illinois program history.
The senior guard has been a driving force behind Northern Colorado's success this season, leading the Bears while cementing his place in the program's record book. Denker broke the Northern Colorado single-season assists record this year and helped guide the Bears to one of the most successful offensive seasons in program history, as UNC also set a team record for assists in a season.
Denker's leadership and production have made him one of the top guards in the Big Sky Conference and a key catalyst for the Bears throughout the 2025-26 campaign.
The Lou Henson Award recipient will be announced in Indianapolis, Indiana, the site of the 2026 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship.
2025-26 Lou Henson Award Finalists
Austin Benigni – Navy
Zach Cleveland – Liberty
Dominique Daniels Jr. – California Baptist
Cruz Davis – Hofstra
Josiah Davis – CSUN
Brett Decker – Liberty
Quinn Denker – Northern Colorado
Gavin Doty – Siena
Logan Duncomb – Winthrop
Kyle Evans – UC Irvine
Delrecco Gillespie – Kent State
Bryce Harris – Howard
Jackson Holcombe – Utah Valley
Camren Hunter – Central Arkansas
Jaquan Johnson – Bradley
Tavari Johnson – Akron
Aidan Kehoe – Navy
Kevair Kennedy – Merrimack
Tyler Lundblade – Belmont
Terri Miller – Portland State
Nolan Minessale – St. Thomas (MN)
Paulius Murauskas – Saint Mary's
Darin Smith Jr. – Central Connecticut State
Peter Suder – Miami (OH)
Cedric Taylor III – Howard
Keon Thompson – Stephen F. Austin
Nick Townsend – Yale
Patrick Wesler – UNCW
Nasir Whitlock – Lehigh
Alex Wilkins – Furman
The award winner is selected by a 10-member voting committee comprised of current and former head coaches along with senior staff members from CollegeInsider.com.
FOLLOW THE BEARS: Fans can follow and stay up to date on all the Bear action at uncbears.com and on social media. Follow the Bears on X (formerly Twitter) (@UNC_BearsMBB), Instagram (@UNC_BearsMBB), and Facebook (/UNCBearsMBB).
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