Wrapping up a headline-grabbing 2025–26 campaign, the College of Staten Island men’s basketball team saw two of its brightest stars clinch top honors. Guards Aaron Goldstein and JJ Chestnut turned in historic performances, catching the attention of the Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association and propelling the Dolphins into the limelight of the East Coast Conference.
Their efforts didn’t just give their team a winning edge—they also firmly placed CSI on the map within both NYC and the wider New York college sports scene.
Throughout the season, CSI’s backcourt was the story. Goldstein, now a junior, established himself as one of the most dangerous scorers in Division II, while Chestnut’s senior year was packed with impressive stats and milestones that will be tough to top.
Goldstein’s Breakout Campaign
Goldstein’s junior year was nothing short of extraordinary. Finishing atop the East Coast Conference in scoring, he averaged 21.2 points per game—a figure that put him among the nation’s elite. But it wasn’t just about the numbers. Goldstein’s consistency and leadership led to three ECC Player of the Week honors and two MBWA Player of the Week recognitions, powering CSI through a challenging slate of conference games.
The season’s turning point came in January with a victory over St. Thomas Aquinas, CSI’s first win in the rivalry since 1975, where Goldstein became a member of the elite 1,000-point club. He tallied a whopping 615 points by season’s end, setting a new Division II single-season record for the program.
Accolades rolled in: Goldstein landed on the ECC First Team, D2CCA East Region First Team, NABC All-District Second Team, and was included in the Bevo Francis Top 100 Watch List. Topping it off, he made the All-Met First Team, signaling a new era for CSI basketball.
Chestnut Shines in His Senior Season
Not to be outdone, Chestnut’s final year was a demonstration in poise and versatility. The senior started all 29 games, averaging 13.2 points, 5.0 assists, and 4.3 rebounds per night—proving indispensable as both a scorer and facilitator.
He hit a major career milestone early, joining the 1,000-point club in a January clash with Post, while also tying his program record for assists in a season with 144. But Chestnut’s crowning achievement came on Senior Day, when he delivered the program’s first-ever Division II triple-double: 30 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists against Molloy.
That game, and the honor of All-Met Honorable Mention and ECC Second Team selection, cemented Chestnut among the legends in CSI’s history books.
CSI’s Backcourt Tandem Stands Tall
The combined success of Goldstein and Chestnut provided CSI with arguably the most dynamic backcourt in the region. Their haul of accolades highlights individual achievement and a significant leap for the Dolphins within Division II.
It’s a big deal for New York City basketball, too—their performances and recognition by the MBWA help spotlight Staten Island among the metro’s basketball powerhouses.
The Road Ahead
As Chestnut moves on, all eyes shift to Goldstein and how CSI will shape its roster around him. His leadership and scoring set a strong foundation as the team looks to keep the momentum going and make another run in the ECC.
One thing’s for sure: The mark left by this historic backcourt will influence expectations as the Dolphins prep for what’s next in the ever-competitive New York college basketball scene.
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