A Season of Accolades
The Saint John's University men's basketball team has once again been celebrated for its academic prowess, earning the National Association of Basketball Coaches' Team Academic Excellence Award for the 14th straight year. In the 2025‑26 season the Johnnies posted a collective grade point average of 3.61, underscoring the program's commitment to scholarship as well as competition.
That achievement places the squad among a select group of programs that consistently blend athletic success with high academic standards, a balance that coaches and administrators say defines the university's educational mission.
Honors Court Recognition
Adding to the accolades, three Johnnie players were named to the NABC Honors Court, the organization's recognition for student‑athletes who demonstrate excellence on the court and in the classroom. Junior wing Jamison Lien, junior guard A.J. McCleery, and senior guard Thomas Menk each earned the distinction, highlighting the team's depth of talent and scholarly focus.
Lien, an exercise and health science major, brings a relentless work ethic to both practice and lecture halls. McCleery, pursuing a finance degree, has been praised for his strategic mindset that translates from the boardroom to the hardwood. Menk, an accounting major in his final year, rounds out a trio of students who exemplify the university's interdisciplinary strengths.
MIAC Triumph and Playoff Run
On the competitive front, the Johnnies finished second in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) with an 11‑5 record, a testament to a season marked by steady improvement and clutch performances. The team also advanced to the MIAC playoff championship game, marking its sixth appearance in the title contest over the past seven seasons.
Coach John T. Gentry praised the blend of talent and tenacity, noting that the program's culture of accountability has cultivated both winning habits and academic discipline. "Our players understand that success in the classroom is the foundation for success on the court," he said.
Looking ahead, the Johnnies aim to translate this momentum into a deeper run in the NCAA Division III tournament, where they hope to contend for a national title while maintaining the high academic standards that have become their hallmark.