FAIRFAX, Va. – George Mason University men's basketball associate head coach Steve Curran and assistant coach Mike Ekanem have been named to the prestigious Silver Waves Media 75 Rising Stars: Impactful Men's Mid Major Assistants list.
 
Curran garners the honor for the third time in his career while Ekanem is a first-time selection. Previously, Ekanem was selected to the Silver Waves Media Most Notable Div. I Support Staff list in 2021.
 
The annual lists are curated by a panel of industry professionals.
 
Curran arrived in Fairfax in April after a 13-year stint at St. Bonaventure, where he helped develop the Bonnies into one of the Atlantic 10's preeminent powers. During that sustained stretch of excellence, the Bonnies posted five 20-win campaigns, captured three NCAA Tournament berths (2021, 2018, 2012) and made a pair of NIT appearances (2022, 2016). St. Bonaventure recorded an 103-55 (.652) Atlantic 10 record since 2014-15 and captured five total league titles.
 
Ekanem has built a resume of sustained success over a decade in the Div. I coaching ranks, most recently served as an assistant coach at Sam Houston State. In 2022-23, he helped lead the Bearkats to school records for wins, road wins and the first at-large NIT berth in program history. The Bearkats went a sizzling 26-8 and went 14-4 in the WAC this past season and knocked off Santa Clara to advance in the NIT.
 
Ekanem previously on Eric Musselman's staff at both Arkansas and Nevada which both achieved top-25 stature during his tenure. He also worked at Texas A&M for Buzz Williams, among other notable stops.
 
Curran and Ekanem are serving in their first season under George Mason head coach Tony Skinn ('06).