University of Delaware Athletics
Men’s Basketball’s Bliss Named CUSA Freshman of the Year; Bliss and Fernandez Earn All-Conference
3/9/2026 3:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
DALLAS - Delaware men's basketball's Christian Bliss has been named the 2025-26 Conference USA Freshman of the Year, the league office announced Monday. Bliss also earned Second Team All-Conference and All-Freshman team honors, while Justyn Fernandez was named All-Honorable Mention.
Bliss leads all CUSA freshmen in points (16.7), assists (5.9), steals (1.8), and minutes per game (39.8), as well as field goal (42.4), 3-point (39.2), and free throw (84.8) percentages. This season he scored a career-high 27 points against Jacksonville State and recorded a career-mark 11 assists in UD's win over UNCG. Bliss started every game this season for the Fightin' Blue Hens and is first in the NCAA in minutes per game after playing at least 40 minutes in 21 of Delaware's 31 games, making him just the eighth player in the NCAA to average at least 39.0 minutes per game since 2010.
He is the only freshman in the NCAA to average at least 15.0 points, 5.0 assists and 5.0 rebounds per game this season and is the first in CUSA history to do so. Bliss is also the only freshman in the league to record a double-double in points and assists, which he did twice this season. He ranks 26th in the country in assists per game with 5.9 and is second in the league. He is also second in CUSA in total assists (184), steals (55) and steals per game (1.8). Bliss finishes the season with the program's rookie records in points (518), scoring average (16.7), minutes (1,233), free throws made (139), and free throw attempts (164). He also earned CUSA Freshman of the Week (Dec. 17) after the Hens topped George Washington on the road.
Fernandez started all 28 games he appeared in and finishes the season averaging 16.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 37.4 minutes per game, while shooting 44.1 percent overall, 40.3 percent from three, and 87.8 percent from the line. He leads CUSA in free throw percentage and is sixth in the NCAA in minutes per game. Fernandez played 40+ minutes 10 times the season and recorded 26 double-digit point games with 10 of them being 20-plus-point games. He scored a career-high 30 points at Jacksonville State which was the most by a Hen this season. Fernandez was also a two-time CUSA Player of the Week this season (Dec 17 and Feb 16).
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