The National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) has revealed the recipients of its 2025‑26 Team Academic Excellence Awards and NABC Honor Court, recognizing outstanding scholarly performance by men’s college basketball programs and individual student‑athletes across the nation.
Recognizing Scholarly Achievement
Loyola Marymount University’s men’s basketball program was honored with the Team Academic Excellence Award for the 2025‑26 season, a distinction reserved for teams that sustain a collective grade point average of at least 3.0.
Five Lions earned places on the NABC Honor Court, including senior guard Rick Issanza, forward Nakyel Shelton, guard Tanner Thomas, center George Tupy, and sophomore Jan Vide. Each student‑athlete maintains a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher, meeting the association’s rigorous standard.
The NABC’s academic recognitions are presented annually to teams and athletes at every level of college basketball, underscoring the organization’s belief that competitive success and scholarly achievement go hand in hand.
Craig Robinson, Executive Director of the NABC, highlighted the importance of academic performance, stating that “education remains one of the core pillars of our sport’s future.”
Beyond the awards, the NABC continues to champion education as a foundational value, encouraging coaches, programs, and student‑athletes to prioritize academic progress alongside athletic ambition.