The National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) has revealed the recipients of its 2025‑26 Team Academic Excellence Awards and NABC Honors Court, spotlighting programs and student‑athletes that excel both on the hardwood and in the classroom. The announcement underscores a growing emphasis on academic achievement across men's college basketball, a trend that the association says reflects the sport's broader commitment to holistic development.
Recognizing Program and Individual Excellence
Western Colorado University was among the institutions honored with a Team Academic Excellence Award, a distinction reserved for programs maintaining a collective grade point average of 3.0 or higher. In addition, five of the university's players earned places on the NABC Honors Court, a list that celebrates student‑athletes who achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or above.
The five Mountaineers named to the Honors Court are Camden Kilbride, Christian Still, Dawlton Grant, Mason Mottashed, and Tyler Halligan. Their academic standing, coupled with athletic contributions, exemplifies the type of scholar‑athlete the NABC seeks to highlight. The recognition comes amid a record‑setting year in which more than 2,300 student‑athletes earned Honors Court honors and over 400 programs received Team Academic Excellence Awards.
NABC Executive Director Craig Robinson emphasized the significance of these accolades, noting that "the dedication displayed in the classroom often mirrors the discipline required on the court." He added that the association is proud to showcase role models whose achievements extend beyond statistics, reinforcing the message that academic success is integral to the collegiate experience.
Beyond the individual honors, the awards reflect a cultural shift within college basketball, where coaching staffs and athletic departments increasingly prioritize academic support services and mentorship. The NABC's initiatives, from tutoring programs to study‑hall incentives, have contributed to a measurable rise in team GPAs across the nation, a development that Robinson described as "a win for the sport and for the young men who play it."