Men’s Basketball Earns Prestigious NABC Academic Excellence Award

*Kansas City, Mo., July 17, 2025* – The National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) has officially recognized the academic excellence of collegiate men’s basketball programs and players by unveiling the recipients of its 2024–25 Team Academic Excellence Awards and Honors Court today.

The **Team Academic Excellence Award** honors programs that collectively achieved a cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of **3.0 or higher** during the 2024–25 academic year ([nabc.com][1]). This year, nearly **400 men’s basketball teams** across NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA divisions met or surpassed this benchmark ([nabc.com][2]), demonstrating an impressive commitment to academic success alongside athletic competition.

Additionally, the **NABC Honors Court** spotlights standout student-athletes—specifically juniors, seniors, and graduate students—who maintained a **cumulative GPA of 3.2 or above** ([nabc.com][1]). A total of **over 2,400 players** achieved this honor, marking another all-time high ([nabc.com][2]).

In announcing the awards, NABC Executive Director Craig Robinson emphasized the importance of academic achievement in collegiate athletics:

> “Education is one of the NABC’s five core values, and we are proud to recognize the academic accomplishments of these programs and individual student‑athletes across our sport,” Robinson stated. “The dedication and hard work of these athletes, along with their coaches and support staff members who prioritize academic success, deserves to be widely celebrated.” ([nabc.com][2])

### Institutional Highlights

Among the academic leaders, **MIT men’s basketball** earned the Team Academic Excellence Award and saw **seven** team members named to the Honors Court ([Massachusetts Institute of Technology][3]). The honorees include:

* **CJ Tummings** (Sr.)
* **Kade Killeen** (Sr.)
* **Landon Dolvin** (Jr.)
* **Parker Spann** (Jr.)
* **Rome Delgado‑Gonzalez** (Jr.)
* **Spencer Lin** (Sr.)
* **Tim Minicozzi** (Jr.) ([Massachusetts Institute of Technology][3])

Similarly, **DePaul University** celebrated its **seventh** Team Academic Excellence Award—their first since 2021–22 ([DePaul University Athletics][4])—while institutions like **Penn**, **Michigan State**, **Texas**, and **many more** also earned this recognition for outstanding academic achievement ([DePaul University Athletics][4], [University of Pennsylvania Athletics][5], [Michigan State University Athletics][6], [University of Texas Athletics][7]).

Penn’s efforts were particularly noteworthy, with **five players** making the Honors Court—highlighting a strong academic culture across Ivy League programs ([Massachusetts Institute of Technology][3]).

### Scaling Academic Excellence Nationwide

The NABC’s annual academic awards continue to grow in scale and prestige. For the 2024–25 season:

* **Nearly 400 programs** received the **Team Academic Excellence Award** ([nabc.com][2]).
* **More than 2,400 student-athletes** qualified for the **Honors Court** ([DePaul University Athletics][4]).

This year’s broad participation illustrates an encouraging trend: student‑athletes increasingly prioritize academic rigor alongside their athletic responsibilities. In many programs, coaches and academic support staff have amplified efforts to ensure players maintain eligibility and excel in the classroom.

### Looking Ahead

With the combined academic triumphs of hundreds of teams and thousands of players, the NABC’s 2024–25 academic honors reflect a powerful culture of scholastic commitment in men’s college basketball. As the 2025–26 season approaches, expectations are high for programs to continue building upon this foundation—leveraging strong academic frameworks to foster future student‑athlete success.

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By spotlighting both institutional and individual academic excellence, the NABC continues to reaffirm that the pursuit of knowledge remains just as vital as the pursuit of athletic success.