Four UTRGV Vaqueros Earn SLC All‑Academic Honors
The Southland Conference has announced its 2025‑26 Men’s Basketball All‑Academic Team, and four members of the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley roster have earned the distinction, underscoring the program’s commitment to balancing rigorous academics with high‑level competition.
Eligibility for the honor requires a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 and participation in at least half of the team’s games, standards that each of the selected student‑athletes satisfied while navigating demanding coursework and a grueling schedule.
Koree Cotton, a guard who started all 33 games, led the team with 13.9 points and 5.3 rebounds per contest, shooting 47.4% from the floor and 40.3% from three‑point range. His defensive prowess earned him both All‑Conference First Team and All‑Defensive Team honors, making him an automatic academic selection.
Filip Brankovic contributed 13.0 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game across 32 starts, shooting 52.6% overall and 33.3% from beyond the arc. His efficiency helped secure a spot on the All‑Conference Second Team and satisfied the academic criteria for the All‑Academic roster.
Marvin McGhee III appeared in every game, averaging 10.9 points and 5.1 rebounds while knocking down a team‑high 78 three‑pointers at a 43.3% clip. His shooting consistency earned him All‑Conference Second Team recognition and confirmed his academic eligibility.
Julien Gomez, who started 21 of 33 appearances, posted 7.5 points and 3.2 rebounds per game, shooting 48.8% from the field and 43.7% from three‑point range. He scored in double figures on ten occasions, rounding out a balanced offensive contribution.
A Record‑Breaking Season for the Vaqueros
The quartet’s performances helped the Vaqueros finish the season with a 19‑14 overall record and a program‑best 14 wins in Southland Conference play, earning a No. 3 seed for the league tournament. Their combined on‑court success and academic standing set a new benchmark for future student‑athletes at UTRGV.
The recognition reflects a broader institutional push to celebrate scholarship as an integral part of athletic identity, positioning the program as a model for integrating academic excellence with competitive ambition.