The College of the Canyons men's basketball program has been honored with the 2025‑26 National Association of Basketball Coaches Team Academic Excellence Award, recognizing a collective grade point average of 3.13.
Academic Excellence Award
The Cougars join a select group of just 15 two‑year institutions nationwide that earned the distinction, underscoring the program's commitment to balancing athletics and scholarship.
During the 2025‑26 season the team amassed a 16‑12 record, securing a spot in the 3C2A Southern California Regional Playoffs for the first time since the 2017‑18 campaign, and spent nearly 2,900 hours in The Learning Center, translating to more than 152 tutoring hours per student‑athlete.
Three sophomores — Donovan Cornelius, Justin Perez and Wyatt Wilson — completed associate degrees before moving on to four‑year universities, a testament to the program's academic pipeline.
Conference Honors and Postseason
Conference play brought further recognition, with Donovan Cornelius and Dwayne Boston Jr. earning First Team All‑Western State Conference South Division selections, while Craig Irons received honorable‑mention accolades.
The postseason run concluded in the opening round against San Bernardino Valley College, but the season remains marked by both competitive breakthroughs and academic distinction.