NASHVILLE – Two Trevecca Nazarene University men's basketball players are honored with selection to the 2026 Gulf South Conference All-Conference team and the Freshman of the Year.
 
Fred Bailey, a freshman from Hendersonville, Tenn., is the 2026 Gulf South Freshman of the Year and a member of the 2026 GSC All-Conference Third Team.
 
Jax Abernathy, a freshman from Calhoun, Ga., is a member of the 2026 Gulf South Conference Third Team.
 
Both, who ironically played their high school basketball for an alum of the Trevecca basketball program, made remarkable contributions to the program, helping the team exceed expectations.
 
The team won 18 games, giving first-year Trojan head coach the second-most wins for a Trojan coach in their first season. The Trojans also surpassed the preseason coaches' poll prediction that TNU would finish eighth. The team instead tied for fifth place and advanced to the GSC Quarterfinals.
 
Bailey, who made the all-conference team, was named the GSC Freshman of the Year after delivering the most complete freshman season in the conference, impacting the season in scoring, rebounding, playmaking, and doing so with incredible proficiency.

FRED BAILEY | #11 | 6'2 | GUARD | FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR / THIRD TEAM

Bailey, who made the all-conference team, was named the GSC Freshman of the Year after delivering the most complete freshman season in the conference, impacting the team in scoring, rebounding, and playmaking, and doing so with incredible proficiency.
 
The Hendersonville native averaged 13.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game, totaling 387 points, 157 rebounds, and 137 assists. He scored in double figures in 23 of 28 games and recorded six double-doubles while serving as the Trojans' leader in rebounds and assists and their second-leading scorer.
 
Bailey ranks No. 4 in the GSC in assists, No. 9 in rebounding, No. 10 in free-throw percentage, and No. 18 in scoring. He also stands No. 11 in assist-to-turnover ratio and No. 18 in steals. Nationally, Bailey ranks No. 35 in NCAA Division II in assists.
 
The six-time GSC Freshman of the Week selection averaged 14.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. He shot 48.8% from the field, 28.3% from three-point range, and 72.4% free throw.
 
Bailey, who played his high school ball for Trevecca alum Charles Wade at Pope John Paul II, scored 20+ points in a game five times and had six double-doubles.
 
The native of Hendersonville, Tenn. had seven (7) games with seven (7) assists or more. In six of those games, Bailey just missed a triple-double.
 
Conference Rankings:
No. 18 Scoring
No. 9 Rebounding
No. 10 FT %
No. 4 Assists
No. 11 Assist/TO Ratio
No. 18 Steals
 
AWARDS AND RECORDS
 
Weekly Awards
GSC Freshmen of the Week | 03.02.26
GSC Freshmen of the Week | 02.22.26
GSC Freshmen of the Week | 01.13.26
GSC Freshmen of the Week | 01.06.26
GSC Freshmen of the Week | 11.25.25
GSC Freshmen of the Week | 11.18.25
 
JAX ABERNATHY | #23 | 6'4 | GUARD | THIRD TEAM
 
Abernathy emerged as one of the Gulf South's most dynamic scorers, providing offensive production and perimeter proficiency throughout the season.
 
Abernathy averaged 16.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.0 steals per game. He shot 43.5% from the field, 26.7% from three-point range, and 73.5% from the free-throw line.
 
Abernathy, who played her high school ball for Trevecca alum Tyler Watkins, produced 11 games with 20+ points and had two games with 30+ points.
 
The native of Calhoun, Ga, in a five-game stretch, averaged 27.6 points per game and shot 57.8 % (48-83), 41.6 % (13-31) from three-point range, and 70.7% (29-41) from the foul line. That stretch included a 32-point game against West Florida and a 30-point game against Valdosta State.  

Conference Rankings:
No. 7 Scoring
No. 12 FG %
No. 15 FT %
No. 20 Steals
 
National Rankings:
No. 7 Total Rebounds
No. 12 Rebounds Per Game
No. 14 Double-Doubles
No. 16 Field Goal Percentage

WEEKLY HONORS
Jax Abernathy | GSC Freshmen of the Week | 02.17.26
Jax Abernathy | GSC Freshmen of the Week | 02.10.26
Jax Abernathy | TSWA Player of the Week | 12.24.25
Jax Abernathy | GSC Freshmen of the Week | 12.22.25