RIT Men's Basketball earns NABC academic honors
The National Association of Basketball Coaches recently announced its 2025‑26 Honors Court, and the RIT Tigers found themselves at the center of the recognition. In addition to having five individual players selected, the program was also honored with the NABC Team Academic Excellence Award, underscoring the Tigers' commitment to scholarship as well as competition.
Among the honorees, Brody Brown, Jalen Godette, Jackson Otis, Nolan Smith and Josiah Turner each brought a blend of on‑court production and academic distinction. Brown, a finance major with a 3.93 GPA, appeared in 25 games and posted averages of 7.6 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists. Godette, studying astrophysics with a 3.77 GPA, contributed across the schedule, while Otis, a mechanical engineering technology graduate with a 3.81 GPA, logged 4.1 points and 2.8 rebounds per game. Smith, a mechanical engineering major carrying a 3.30 GPA, and Turner, a packaging science major graduating with a 3.20 GPA, combined for a potent frontcourt presence, with Turner averaging 14.6 points and 7.3 rebounds.
The Tigers closed out the season with seven victories, including four wins in Liberty League play, a testament to the team's resilience and cohesion. Their performance on the hardwood, paired with strong classroom outcomes, reflects a holistic approach to athlete development at RIT.
Athletics director Jeremy McKeen praised the student‑athletes for their dedication, noting that the accolades validate the program's emphasis on integrating rigorous academics with competitive basketball.