HARTSVILLE, S.C. – Coker College men's basketball players Jonathon Gardner, Gabriel Mens and Eren Moses were named to the National Association of Basketball Coaches Honors Court today. The NABC Honors Court recognizes collegiate basketball student-athletes who excelled in academics during the 2013-14 season. Gardner, Mens and Moses were three of a record 894 student-athletes, representing 338 colleges/universities, honored by the NABC. This is the second consecutive year that Gardner and Moses have been named to the NABC Honor Court.
"I am extremely proud to have these three receive this recognition from our team," head men's basketball coach Dan Schmotzer said. "These young men represent the true meaning of a student-athlete, winning both on the court and in the classroom."
Gardner, a guard, graduated in May with a degree in biology. In addition to being named to the NABC Honor Court, he was also named to the Capital One Academic All-District first team and the South Atlantic Conference (SAC) Commissioner's Honor Roll. A four-year member of the Cobras, Gardner played in 28 games averaging 2.7 points per game during his final season.
Mens is a raising senior majoring business. A forward on the basketball team, he scored five points pulled down 12 rebounds in 15 appearances this season. He was also named to the SAC Commissioner's Honor Roll.
Moses, a center, also graduated in May with a degree in business after a four-year career at Coker. He averaged 8.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game this season.
The NABC Honors Court recognizes the talents and gifts that student-athletes possess off the court and the hard work they exhibit in the classroom. In order to be named to the Honors Court, a student-athlete must meet a high standard of academic criteria.
The qualifications for the Honors Court are as follows: 1. Academically a junior or senior and a varsity player; 2. Cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher at the conclusion of the 2013-14 academic year; 3. Students must have matriculated at least one year at their current institution; 4. Member of an NCAA Division I, II, III, or NAIA Division I or II institution.
About the NABC
Located in Kansas City, Mo., the NABC was founded in 1927 by Phog Allen, the legendary basketball coach at the University of Kansas. Allen, a student of James Naismith, the inventor of basketball, organized coaches into a collective group to serve as Guardians of the Game. The NABC currently has nearly 5,000 members consisting primarily of university and college men's basketball coaches. All members of the NABC are expected to uphold the core values of being a Guardian of the Game by bringing attention to the positive aspects of the sport of basketball and the role coaches play in the academic and athletic lives of today's student-athletes. The four core values of being a Guardian of the Game are advocacy, leadership, service and education. For additional information about the NABC, its programs and membership, go to www.nabc.org.