By: Jeff Evans, Assistant AD for Athletic Communications
BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The Western Washington University men's basketball team had three players earn All-GNAC honors for the 2025-26 season.
Freshman guard Dennis Johnson headlined the selections earning the GNAC Freshman of the Year award and was also an honorable mention pick. Sophomore guard Aidan Rice earned Second Team All-GNAC honors and junior guard Nehemiah Pollard earned votes as an honorable mention selection.
WWU All-GNAC Selections:
Johnson filled up the stat sheet during his freshman campaign keeping a streak going where the last four GNAC Freshman of the Year have come from the WWU program. Johnson averaged 12.9 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game during his rookie campaign, appearing in all 29 games, making 14 starts. He was a two-time GNAC Player of the Week selection. The lefty guard scored in double-digits in 18 games, including a string of 10 consecutive to end the season. In 18 GNAC contests, Johnson averaged 15.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game. Among GNAC leaders through the end of the regular season Johnson was 17th in scoring, 23rd in rebounding, 13th in assists and 9th in steals (1.4 per game). He joins recent Vikings to earn the top GNAC freshman award Grant Kepley (2025), Tijan Saine (2024) and BJ Kolly (2023).
Rice started all 29 games for the Vikings at guard, averaging a team-best 18.2 points and 4.0 assists per game. Rice scored in double-digits in all but five games during the season, with four 30-point games and nine contests with at least 20 points. The 18.2 points per game average ranks in the top 20 in program history (tied for 16th). He was a two-time GNAC Player of the Week during the regular season and recorded a pair of 37-point games. Amongst GNAC leaders through the end of the regular season he ranked 5th in scoring, 6th in assists, 6th averaging 2.4 three-pointers per game and listed 3rd shooting 84.6-percent from the free throw line (110-for-130).
Pollard was the Vikings second-leading scorer averaging 15.7 points per game while also contributing 5.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. Pollard was the unofficial leader in the GNAC in dunks, while officially ranking 7th in scoring, 16th in field goal percentage (.492) and 9th in free throw percentage (.769).
The Vikings finished the 2025-26 season with an overall record of 13-16 and placed 8th in the GNAC standings with a 7-11 record to narrowly miss a spot in the conference championship tournament.
