The National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) has revealed its 2025‑26 Team Academic Excellence Awards and Honors Court, spotlighting institutions that blend athletic competition with scholarly distinction.
Among the honorees, the WashU Bears captured the Team Academic Award for the 14th straight year, posting a collective grade point average of 3.68 across the 2025‑26 academic cycle.
The award, which requires a program to maintain a team GPA of at least 3.0, was bestowed upon more than 400 squads spanning all divisions, underscoring a league‑wide commitment to academic integrity.
Eight Bears Earn NABC Honors Court Recognition
Eight WashU student‑athletes were placed on the NABC Honors Court, a distinction reserved for juniors, seniors or graduate students who sustain a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher.
The honorees — Calvin Kapral, George Gale, Jake Davis, Kyle Beedon, Lucas Vogel, Ryan Cohen, Will Grudzinski and Yogi Oliff — join a select group of over 2,300 players recognized league‑wide for their scholarly achievements.
WashU’s streak of academic accolades dates back to the award’s inception in the 2012‑13 season, a testament to the program’s enduring emphasis on balancing rigorous coursework with competitive basketball.
Beyond team honors, the university’s consistent performance reflects a culture where coaching staff, administrators and athletes prioritize lifelong learning, a narrative that resonates with fans and scholars alike.