The George Mason University men's basketball program has been recognized once again for its commitment to academic excellence, capturing the National Association of Basketball Coaches' Team Academic Excellence Award.
This marks the second occasion in the past three seasons that the Patriots have earned the honor, and they join just two other Atlantic 10 Conference teams receiving the distinction this year.
Honors Court Selections
The award, which requires a collective GPA of at least 3.0 among scholarship‑eligible student‑athletes, underscores the program's emphasis on balancing rigorous academics with competitive play.
Among the individual honorees, senior forward Nick Ellington and junior guard Jahari Long were selected to the NABC Honors Court, a roster that highlights juniors, seniors and graduate students who maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher.
Ellington, who is completing a graduate certificate in sports management, posted a 3.27 GPA while appearing in 31 games and making five starts; he recorded two double‑digit scoring efforts and shot a team‑best .566 from the field.
Long, also pursuing a graduate certificate in sports management, achieved a 3.25 GPA, started all 33 contests and contributed 12.2 points per game; he ranked sixth in the Atlantic 10 for both assists per game (4.0) and assist‑to‑turnover ratio (2.26), while shooting 37.7 percent from three‑point range.
Coach Kevin Skinn praised the duo, noting that their scholarly dedication sets a standard for future classes and reflects the university's broader mission of developing well‑rounded leaders.