When the lights came up in arenas across the Northeast Conference this past basketball season, American Identity Group was right there in the action. As the proud sponsor of the Featured Players segments on NEC broadcasts, AIG helped fans get to know the players who defined the season — the rebounders, the closers, the rising stars, and the Player of the Year contenders.
Here’s a look back at some of the standout athletes American Identity Group put in the spotlight, and why this kind of visibility matters for a brand built around protecting families.
Featured Players, Featured Moments
Anaya “A.M.P.” McDonald-Perry — New Haven
It started with her. Coach Buff’s offense ran through Anaya McDonald-Perry, and the broadcast crew didn’t hold back on the praise: second-leading scorer on the team, leading rebounder, and a starter in every single game.
“She has a nose for the basketball. She works hard. She brings energy. She hates to lose.”
Opposing coaches built game plans around containing her — and even then, it was a tall order. AMP set the tone for New Haven all season long.
Ashley Baragas — LIU (Le Moyne matchup)
When Coach DePillo needed experience, edge, and a veteran presence, he brought in Ashley Baragas. The New York native delivered exactly what was advertised: tough, gritty, and the kind of player an offense can run through.
Leading scorer. Leading rebounder. The center of gravity for her squad. Baragas brought the swagger that turns close games into wins.
Hannah Humphrey — LIU (vs. Mercyhurst)
With the title on the line in the Shark Tank during Champ Week, LIU needed someone to answer the bell. Hannah Humphrey did exactly that with a big-time three-pointer that swung momentum at a critical moment. The kind of shot that defines tournament basketball.
Darren Smith — Central Connecticut State
A serious NEC Player of the Year candidate. Darren Smith redshirted as a freshman and played just 18 minutes the year before — but when his number got called this season, he made it count.
- 40th in the country in scoring
- 36th in free-throw percentage
- Rebounds on both ends and makes tough shots look easy
When the Player of the Year conversation heated up, Smith was always one or two names at the top of the list.
Andre Pasha — New Haven
Six-foot-nine and just a sophomore, Andre Pasha is the kind of skilled big man who tells you the future is bright. Over a five-game stretch this season, his numbers told the story:
- 14.2 points per game
- 55% from the field
- 43% from three
- Did not miss a single free throw
That’s a complete offensive package — and a player NEC fans will be watching closely for years to come.
Why AIG Showed Up for NEC Basketball
NEC basketball is community basketball at its best. These programs represent schools, families, and entire regions — the same families American Identity Group works every day to protect from identity theft, account fraud, and digital threats that don’t make highlight reels but do real damage to real households.
Sponsoring the Featured Players segments was a natural fit. AIG’s mission is built around helping families and households stay protected through ongoing identity monitoring, rapid alerts, and identity theft insurance — protection that works quietly in the background while life happens in the foreground. Whether that life is a championship game or a regular Tuesday afternoon.
Bringing Protection to Every Household
Identity theft affects more than personal finances. It creates stress, eats up time, and disrupts the routines families count on. American Identity Group offers month-to-month identity protection with full household coverage — no long-term contracts, plans starting affordably, and the kind of peace of mind that lets you focus on what matters.
To learn more about AIG’s digital safety plans for you, your family, and your home, visit AmericanIdentityGroup.com.
Looking Ahead
The 2025–26 NEC season delivered storylines, breakout performances, and the kind of basketball that reminds you why conference play matters. American Identity Group was honored to highlight the players who made it special — and we’ll be back next season, courtside in spirit, cheering on the next round of Featured Players.
Until then: protect your identity, protect your household, and we’ll see you next tip-off.
American Identity Group is a national identity protection provider committed to helping individuals, families, and businesses stay protected in an increasingly connected world. Learn more at AmericanIdentityGroup.com.
