HARTSVILLE, S.C. – Coker College men's basketball player Jonathon Gardner has been named to the 2013-14 Capital One Academic All-District men's basketball team. Gardner was selected to the first team in District 3 of Division II.

"Jon receiving this recognition is a direct result of the kind of character he possesses," said head men's basketball coach Dan Schmotzer. "He has been the glue of our team his entire career, and that comes directly from the approach he takes in the classroom. He has taken his studies seriously and it is very fitting that he is recognized as one of the best student-athletes academically in the district. I am honored to be his coach and extremely proud of him."

Gardner sports a 3.8 grade-point average and is currently pursuing a second undergraduate degree in biology with a pre-medical concentration, after graduating last May with a degree in physical education and sport studies with a concentration in exercise science. On the court, Gardner, a guard, is averaging 2.6 points per game in 16 games of action so far this season. He was a Conference Carolinas academic all-conference selection for the 2012-13 season.

As a first-team selection, Gardner automatically advances to the Capital One Academic All-America Team ballot, where first, second and third team All-America honorees will be selected in February.

Gardner is the second consecutive Coker men's basketball player to be named to the Capital One Academic All-District team. Former Cobra Andrew Morris was named to the 2012-13 all-district first team.

Originally from Florence, S.C., Gardner is the son of Nancy and Darryl Gardner.

The all-district teams are selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America and are intended to recognize the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances athletically and in the classroom. Teams are broken down into eight geographic districts across the United States and Canada.

Coker falls into District 3, which consists of Division II schools from the South Atlantic Conference, Peach Belt Conference and Conference Carolinas.

Release written by sports information graduate assistant Sharod Williams '13.