The National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) recently revealed the recipients of the 2025‑26 NABC Team Academic Excellence Awards and the NABC Honors Court, a program that spotlights collegiate men's basketball teams and student‑athletes who excel academically as well as athletically.
Recognizing Academic Achievement
The Team Academic Excellence Award is granted to programs whose entire roster maintains a collective grade point average of 3.0 or higher for the 2025‑26 academic year. Meanwhile, the Honors Court acknowledges individual players who achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or above, requiring both personal scholarly dedication and consistent performance on the court.
This year’s cohort is substantial, with more than 2,400 players earning Honors Court selections and nearly 400 programs receiving the Team Academic Excellence Award. The breadth of recognition reflects a growing emphasis on integrating academic rigor with athletic competition across the sport.
Among the institutions celebrated, Keiser University’s men’s basketball team stood out by earning the Team Academic Excellence Award and placing eight of its student‑athletes on the Honors Court. The honorees — Cameron Baldwin, Camerin James, Jackson Kennedy, Jaylen Lee, Jonathan Paul, Anthony Ross, Mathew Shea, and Jackson Slater — exemplify the blend of scholarly excellence and athletic commitment that the NABC seeks to promote.
The acknowledgment underscores a broader trend within college basketball, where coaches, administrators, and institutions increasingly prioritize academic metrics alongside win‑loss records. By publicly celebrating these achievements, the NABC not only rewards individual effort but also encourages programs to foster environments where academic success is valued as highly as athletic prowess.