Haverhill, MA (April 16, 2026) – NJCAA National Player of the Year Alejandro Delgado (Haverhill) and NJCAA National Coach of the Year Darren Stratton of the national championship-winning Northern Essex Community College men’s basketball team have been selected for the 16th annual NJCAA Coaches Association All-Star Game. Stratton will serve as head coach for one of the two teams, while Delgado was one of 26 players selected from across the country from all three NJCAA Divisions to be selected for the game.

This marks the first time that NECC will be represented in the all-star game by either a player or coach, which will be played on Saturday, May 9th at the Cox Pavilion on the campus of UNLV, and also home to the NBA Summer League. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. ET  and will be streamed live on YouTube.

In addition to the game, both Stratton and Delgado will attend the NJCAA All-Star Game and Coaches Association Hall of Fame Banquet. The five-member 2026 Hall of Fame class includes current Wake Forest head coach Steve Forbes and former Arkansas coach Nolan Richardson, who both began their coaching careers at the NJCAA level.

The Region 21 Player of the Year and first team All-American, Delgado averaged 17.9 points and 11.6 rebounds per game. Delgado recorded 26 double-doubles in 35 games played. He also averaged 3.3 assists per game and 1.8 steals per game.

Stratton, who has amassed 384 wins over his career, guided the Knights to 33 victories this season, including a 20-game winning streak to end the season.  In addition to Delgado, he also helped Christian Sanders, Alex Johnson and Yunosuke Matsuda all earn postseason recognition.

For additional information on the NJCAA Coaches Association All-Star Game, visit the coaches association website at www.jcbca.com or on X @NJCAAMBBCoaches