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NEC Basketball: Ranking of 25 best players from last decade (2013-23)

By Joey Loose

Mar 16, 2022; Dayton, Ohio, USA; Bryant University Bulldogs guard Peter Kiss (32) drives down the court defended by Wright State Raiders guard Tim Finke (24) in the second half at University of Dayton Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2022; Dayton, Ohio, USA; Bryant University Bulldogs guard Peter Kiss (32) drives down the court defended by Wright State Raiders guard Tim Finke (24) in the second half at University of Dayton Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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NEC Basketball Keith Braxton #13 of the St. Francis (Pa) Red Flash (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
NEC Basketball Keith Braxton #13 of the St. Francis (Pa) Red Flash (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

2. Keith Braxton

While St. Francis (PA) isn’t exactly a mid-major program that’s made a ton of noise, the Red Flash was in pretty good hands when Braxton was leading the program. A 6’5 wing from Glassboro, New Jersey, he arrived on campus back in 2016 and helped pull out four decently successful seasons with the Red Flash before departing during the pandemic.

Potent already as a freshman, Braxton averaged 13.1 points and 8.6 rebounds, including great shooting numbers from all over the court. His numbers throughout his career were impressive, averaging more than 17 points a game as a sophomore and senior and just a hair shy of a double-double (16.0 points, 9.8 rebounds) as a junior. That junior season saw him take the Red Flash to an NEC regular season title and a trip to the NIT, while his sophomore season had included a triple-double against Fairleigh Dickinson and plenty of other fireworks.

Braxton was NEC Rookie of the Year in 2017 and then took home First Team All-NEC honors in his final three seasons. For his role in St. Francis’ conference title during his junior season, he was also tabbed the NEC Player of the Year. He had great numbers for his four-year career, was the NEC’s top rebounder in three of those years, and left campus with 2067 career points. Additionally, his career was the only four-year span for the Red Flash where they were over .500 in NEC play in each season (48-24 against their conference foes).