The American Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year is an award given to the American Conference's most outstanding player. The conference formed in 2013–14 after many schools departed from the original Big East Conference to form their own conference. The conference was called the American Athletic Conference from its inception up until July 21, 2025, at which time it was formally rebranded. Shabazz Napier of UConn was the first-ever winner.
Key † Co-Players of the Year* Awarded a national player of the year award that same season:Oscar Robertson Trophy (1958–59 to present) Naismith College Player of the Year (1968–69 to present)John R. Wooden Award (1976–77 to present) Player (X) Denotes the number of times the player had been awarded the American Player of the Year award at that point
Winners
Season Player School Position Class Reference 2013–14 UConn PG 2014–15 SMU PG 2015–16 (2) SMU PG 2016–17 SMU PF 2017–18 Cincinnati PF 2018–19 Cincinnati SG 2019–20 Memphis PF 2020–21† Wichita State PG / SG Houston SG 2021–22 SMU PG 2022–23 Houston PG / SG 2023–24† Florida Atlantic PG / SG South Florida SG 2024–25 Memphis SG 2025–26 South Florida PF
Winners by school The "year joined" reflects the calendar year in which each school joined the conference. Years for each award reflect the calendar year in which each season ended. School (year joined) Winners Years SMU (2013) 4 2015, 2016, 2017, 2022 Cincinnati (2013) 2 2018, 2019 Houston (2013) 2 2021†, 2023 Memphis (2013) 2 2020, 2025 South Florida (2013) 2 2024†, 2026 Florida Atlantic (2023) 1 2024† UConn (2013) 1 2014 Wichita State (2017) 1 2021† Charlotte (2023) 0 — East Carolina (2014) 0 — Louisville (2013) 0 — North Texas (2023) 0 — Rice (2023) 0 — Rutgers (2013) 0 — Temple (2013) 0 — Tulane (2014) 0 — Tulsa (2014) 0 — UAB (2023) 0 — UCF (2013) 0 — UTSA (2023) 0 —
References