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The College of Staten Island men’s basketball team wrapped up a standout 2025–26 Division II season with two of its top guards earning major recognition. Aaron Goldstein and JJ Chestnut both secured Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association honors after record-setting campaigns that elevated the Dolphins in the East Coast Conference.
Their performances not only fueled team success but also placed CSI firmly on the radar within NYC college sports and the broader New York college athletics landscape.
The Dolphins’ season was defined by a high-powered backcourt that consistently delivered in big moments. Goldstein, a junior, emerged as one of the most prolific scorers in Division II, while Chestnut capped his senior year with all-around production and a historic performance.
Goldstein put together one of the most dominant individual seasons in College of Staten Island history. The guard led the East Coast Conference in scoring, pouring in 21.2 points per game — a mark that ranked among the top scorers nationally.
His impact extended far beyond the stat sheet. Goldstein earned three ECC Player of the Week honors and was twice recognized as MBWA Player of the Week. His consistent scoring and leadership helped drive the Dolphins through a competitive conference slate.
Midway through the season, Goldstein etched his name into program history. During a January victory over St. Thomas Aquinas — CSI’s first win in the series since 1975 — he crossed the 1,000-point milestone. By season’s end, he had totaled 615 points, setting a new Division II single-season record for the program.
Recognition followed. Goldstein was named to the ECC First Team, D2CCA East Region First Team, and NABC All-District Second Team, while also landing on the Bevo Francis Top 100 Watch List. His All-Met First Team selection capped a season that redefined expectations for the Staten Island program.
While Goldstein dominated headlines, Chestnut delivered a senior campaign that showcased versatility and poise. The veteran guard started all 29 games and served as a steady presence, averaging 13.2 points, 5.0 assists, and 4.3 rebounds per game.
Chestnut reached a personal milestone early in the year, joining the 1,000-point club during a January matchup against Post. He also matched his own program record for assists in a season with 144, underscoring his role as the team’s primary facilitator.
His defining moment came on Senior Day against Molloy. In a performance that will be remembered in CSI history, Chestnut recorded the first triple-double in the program’s Division II era, finishing with 30 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists.
The achievement highlighted his all-around impact and helped secure his place among the program’s most accomplished players. Chestnut earned All-Met Honorable Mention honors and was also selected to the ECC Second Team.
The simultaneous rise of Goldstein and Chestnut gave the Dolphins one of the most productive backcourts in the region. Their accolades reflect not just individual excellence, but a broader step forward for the College of Staten Island within the competitive Division II landscape.
For NYC college sports, the duo’s success adds to a growing list of standout performers across New York’s college basketball scene. Their recognition by the MBWA reinforces Staten Island’s presence alongside programs from across the city and surrounding region.
With Chestnut’s collegiate career now complete, attention turns to how CSI will build around Goldstein moving forward. His return provides a strong foundation as the Dolphins aim to build on a historic season and contend again in the ECC.
As the program continues to gain traction in New York college athletics, the impact of this season — and the legacy of its standout backcourt — will shape expectations heading into the next chapter of CSI basketball.