The National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) has revealed the 2025‑26 Team Academic Excellence Awards and the NABC Honors Court, spotlighting teams and student‑athletes that excel both on the hardwood and in the classroom.
Academic Benchmarks Set the Standard
The Team Academic Excellence Award honors programs that post a collective grade point average of at least 3.0 across the entire roster, while the Honors Court recognizes individuals who maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher.
NABC Executive Director Craig Robinson emphasized that these recognitions underscore a growing culture where academic rigor is valued as highly as athletic performance, noting that the achievements reflect the dedication of coaches, staff, and players alike.
Among the honorees, Charleston Southern’s men’s basketball program earned special notice, with eight of its student‑athletes earning a place on the NABC Honors Court for the 2025‑26 academic year.
A Milestone for Charleston Southern
The eight Buccaneers — Nate Brafford, Trent Coleman, Jesse Hafemeister, Reis Jones, Kaleb Lofton, Lase Olalere, A'lahn Sumler, and Luke Williams — join a distinguished group of scholars who balance rigorous coursework with a demanding basketball schedule.
The awards, presented annually, span all divisions of college basketball, reinforcing the NABC’s commitment to fostering well‑rounded student‑athletes across the nation.
For Charleston Southern University, the recognition reflects a sustained effort to prioritize scholarship and service, a narrative that aligns with the institution’s broader mission of developing leaders beyond the arena.