St. Mary’s College Men’s Basketball Earns NABC Academic Award

The National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) announced the 2024-25 NABC Team Academic Excellence Awards and Honors Court recipients on Thursday, recognizing outstanding academic achievements by men’s college basketball teams and players. St. Mary’s College Men’s Basketball was among nearly 400 programs to receive the Team Academic Excellence Award, posting a 3.2144 team GPA for the 2024-25 academic year. Four players from St. Mary’s College Men’s Basketball—Jake Koverman, AB Oladipo, JD Salo, and Kendahl Toft—earned spots on the NABC Honors Court, as reported by the NABC.

Team Academic Excellence Award

The NABC Team Academic Excellence Award honors programs that achieve a team GPA of 3.0 or higher for the academic year. St. Mary’s College Men’s Basketball secured this recognition with a 3.2144 team GPA, reflecting the program’s commitment to academic success alongside athletic performance. This achievement places St. Mary’s College Men’s Basketball among elite programs, including Kansas, Michigan State, and DePaul, which also earned the award for 2024-25 [https://www.nabc.com]. The NABC emphasized education as a core value, with Executive Director Craig Robinson noting, “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”.

Honors Court Achievements

The NABC Honors Court recognizes junior, senior, and graduate student players with a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher. St. Mary’s College Men’s Basketball players Jake Koverman ’26 (sociology, 3.496 GPA), AB Oladipo ’25 (biochemistry, 3.377 GPA), JD Salo ’26 (environmental studies/biology minor, 3.405 GPA), and Kendahl Toft ’25 (computer science, 3.552 GPA) were honored. Oladipo and Toft earned their second consecutive Honors Court selection and are members of Chi Alpha Sigma, the national college athlete honor society. All four players also secured spots on the United East Conference Winter/Spring All-Academic Team, highlighting their consistent academic excellence.

On-Court Performance

St. Mary’s College Men’s Basketball finished the 2024-25 season with a 14-12 overall record and a 10-6 mark in the United East Conference (UEC), earning the No. 5 seed in the UEC Championship Tournament. This marked the program’s third winning season in four years, showcasing a balance of athletic and academic success. The Seahawks’ performance aligns with their academic achievements, as noted in posts on X celebrating NABC award recipients.

Individual Player Highlights

Jake Koverman, a junior from Severna Park, Maryland, contributed to St. Mary’s College Men’s Basketball while maintaining a 3.496 GPA. AB Oladipo, a senior from Killeen, Texas, balanced biochemistry studies with a 3.377 GPA. JD Salo, a junior from Dunkirk, Maryland, excelled in environmental studies with a 3.405 GPA, and Kendahl Toft, a senior from Vista, California, achieved a 3.552 GPA in computer science. Their academic rigor complements their on-court contributions, reinforcing the program’s holistic approach.

Broader Context and Recognition

The NABC recognized over 2,400 players on the Honors Court and nearly 400 teams for academic excellence in 2024-25, underscoring the widespread commitment to education in college basketball. St. Mary’s College Men’s Basketball joins other Maryland programs, such as those in the United East Conference, in prioritizing academic success. The team’s achievements reflect the NABC’s mission to celebrate student-athletes who excel in the classroom and on the court.

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