The Gulf South Conference has recognized outstanding talent in men’s basketball for the 2025-26 season, naming Montevallo’s Derek Moore as the Player of the Year. Alongside him on the All-Conference teams are teammates Brandon Fussell and Jaylen Curry, who have also made significant contributions throughout the season.
Moore’s performance this season has been nothing short of exceptional. Averaging 18.1 points per game, he ranked fourth in the GSC and led the conference with a remarkable 61.5 percent shooting accuracy. His efficiency extended to the free-throw line, where he converted 80.6 percent of his attempts. Additionally, Moore averaged 6.9 rebounds per game, placing him seventh among GSC leaders, along with contributing 2.5 assists and nearly 1.0 steals per game.
A highlight of Moore’s season came on January 17, 2026, when he scored a career-high 51 points in a game against West Florida. During this remarkable performance, he set two Montevallo records, including a total of 20 made free throws. His efforts earned him the GSC Player of the Week award twice during the season, and he was also named NABC/D2CIDA National Player of the Week on January 20, 2026.
Fussell, in his junior season, showcased his skills as well, averaging 17.0 points per game to rank sixth in the GSC. His shooting was impressive, with a field goal percentage of 44.4 percent and a three-point shooting mark of 36.7 percent. Fussell was particularly effective at creating opportunities, leading the conference with an average of 2.1 steals per game and ranking third with 5.3 assists per game. Notably, he scored a season-high 29 points against West Florida on February 25, 2026, and nearly matched Montevallo’s record with eight three-pointers during a victory over Auburn Montgomery on January 4, 2026.
Curry’s senior year saw him contribute significantly to the team’s success, averaging 13.1 points per game on a shooting percentage of 49.7 percent. His performance from beyond the arc was also commendable, hitting 35.9 percent of his attempts. On the boards, Curry averaged 5.4 rebounds per game and added 1.9 assists in approximately 27.7 minutes of play. He recorded a season-high of 20 points in a win over Delta State on January 31, 2026, and achieved his only double-double of the season with 19 points and a season-best 11 rebounds against Valdosta State on January 15, 2026.
The recognition of Moore, Fussell, and Curry underscores the strength of the Montevallo basketball program and highlights their individual contributions to a successful season in the Gulf South Conference.
