A Season of Recognition
The National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) revealed the recipients of the 2025‑26 Team Academic Excellence Awards and NABC Honors Court, an honor that celebrates classroom performance by men’s college basketball teams and individual players.
The Cougars secured the NABC Team Academic Excellence award for the fourth consecutive season, underscoring a sustained commitment to academic success alongside athletic competition.
Among the honorees, senior forward Richie Saunders and sophomore guard Dawson Baker earned spots on the NABC Honors Court, a distinction that reflects both scholarly diligence and on‑court contributions.
Saunders capped a four‑year career that places him 17th in program history for points scored and ranks eighth all‑time in three‑point field goals made and attempts, while Baker averaged 7.5 points per game before a season‑ending injury against Miami.
The broader impact of the awards is evident in the numbers: more than 2,300 players across the nation earned Honors Court selections and over 400 programs received Team Academic Excellence recognitions for the 2025‑26 academic year.
In track and field, Taylor Lovell was named a College Sports Communicators First Team Academic All‑American after capturing the 3,000‑meter steeplechase at the NCAA National Championships with a personal‑best time of 9:21.03, also winning the Big 12 title and posting the fourth‑fastest 5,000‑meter performance in BYU history.
Jenna Hutchins complemented Lovell’s achievements by earning CSC Second Team Academic All‑American honors for the second straight season, anchoring the Cougars to a Big 12 distance medley relay title and securing First Team All‑American status in the 10,000‑meter event at the outdoor NCAA National Championships.
The recognition extended to golf as former BYU standout Tyson Shelley and incoming freshman Drake Harvey qualified for the U.S. Amateur Championship after finishing in the top four at a final qualifying tournament, with Shelley carding a 5‑under 66 to claim medalist honors and his third appearance, and Harvey posting a 3‑under 68 to finish third.
Both athletes will join Kihei Akina at the upcoming U.S. Amateur Championship scheduled for August 10‑16 at Merion Golf Club and Philadelphia Country Club in Pennsylvania, events that will be held in the Philadelphia metropolitan area.
Looking Forward
The upcoming championship promises to showcase the next generation of talent, with the Cougars’ golf alumni poised to compete alongside collegiate peers on a national stage.