Three Atlantic Cape Community College Buccaneers student athletes were recognized by the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region 19 and Garden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) for their on-court prowess during their respective women’s and men’s 2025-26 basketball seasons.
Freshman guard Rainelle Blocker, a culinary major from Clayton, was named the GSAC Women’s Basketball Player of the Year, while also being named to the All-GSAC First Team and All-Region 19 First Team. Blocker helped lead the Buccaneers women to their first semifinal playoff appearance while averaging 25 points, 11 rebounds and four assists per game. She also finished second in the nation as a freshman in points and steals.
Blocker is proud of the season she put forth as a freshman at Atlantic Cape and is looking forward to taking on more of a leadership role in her sophomore season.
“It’s great actually because it's a great accomplishment for me, especially in my freshman year. I feel like I can only build on that. Hopefully I can get All-American maybe, well that's what I'm trying to aim for,” Blocker said. “I'm ready for the challenge. I would like to say that this year gave me a taste of what is expected of me. I'm expecting to be more prepared next year and to be more of a leader. I will be ready to get my team going next year.”
Despite her outstanding performance, Blocker is determined to improve upon her game and is excited for the challenge of taking the Buccaneers to greater heights.
“I definitely want to improve my three-pointer. I think that's what's holding me back the most. Having that shot down, I think I could score all-around compared to just being mid,” she said. “It was exciting going as far as we did. I thought maybe we could put Atlantic Cape on the map and win something, but we didn't, unfortunately, but next year we're coming back better than ever.”
Angelina BellFellow teammate guard Angelina Bell, a sophomore from Egg Harbor Township, was named to the Women’s Basketball All-GSAC Second Team. Bell, a two-sport student-athlete who also played on the women’s soccer team, averaged 13 points and nine assists per game.
“It's really exciting. It’s a big accomplishment and I’m really happy. I didn't think I would come back and play basketball after high school. I would definitely give a big thank you to head coach Ricky White, and the rest of the coaches and staff. They believed in me when nobody else did, and that just means more than I can put into words because before coming to Atlantic Cape I had never shot a basketball and they made me believe in myself when I didn't believe,” Bell said.
Olyn KnoxOlyn Knox, a sophomore men’s basketball student athlete and native of Columbia, South Carolina, was named to the Men’s Basketball All-Region 19 Second Team and All-GSAC Second Team. Knox led the Buccaneers men by averaging 18 points and 14 rebounds per game.
Knox credited his teammates and coaches for helping him reach his potential.
“It feels good for me to be recognized as one of the best players in this conference. It took a lot of hard work and dedication, but I couldn't do it without my team. This group of guys helped me learn a lot more about the game of basketball and helped me to better grow as a player and a person. The coaching staff also helped by pushing me to be the best player I can be, to be the best man I can be and to just continue to learn the game,” said Knox, who is currently pondering offers from several Division I universities and is looking forward to visiting and committing to one very soon. “I am very excited to sign with one of these Division I programs, taking my talent to the next level and soon go pro.”
The Buccaneers women’s basketball team completed its successful season with a 15-8 overall record. Their intensity, competitive drive and sportsmanship led them to the NJCAA Region 19 Division III playoffs where they defeated the Community College of Philadelphia, 69-58, in the quarterfinals on Feb. 25 before falling to Passaic County Community College, 87-63 Feb. 26 in the semifinals.
The Buccaneers men’s basketball team completed its NJCAA Region 19 Division III season Feb. 17. Despite missing the playoffs, the Buccaneers finished with a 12-16 overall record while going 8-9 in the GSAC, 9-11 in Division III play and 7-6 at home.
Visit atlanticcape.edu/womensbasketball and atlanticcape.edu/mensbasketball for more information on these Buccaneers athletics programs.
