APPLETON, Wis. — The Lawrence University men’s basketball team has again been honored with the Team Academic Excellence Award by the National Association of Basketball Coaches, and two Vikings were named to the Honors Court.
This marks the third consecutive year Lawrence has picked up the team award and had student-athletes on the Honors Court. The Vikings posted a team grade point average of 3.13 for the 2015-16 academic year.
Senior guards Jamie Nikitas (Glenview, Ill./Glenbrook South) and Troy Miller (Lake In The Hills, Ill./Huntley) were both chosen for the Honors Court for the second consecutive year.
Nikitas, who earned a degree in economics, was a first-team All-Midwest Conference selection and one of 10 national finalists for the Josten’s Trophy, given annually to the top player in NCAA Division III. Nikitas, who had a 3.46 GPA, finished in the top 10 in the nation in scoring at 25.1 points per game and broke Lawrence’s season scoring record with 577 points. He was the only player in the Midwest Conference to finish in the top seven in scoring, rebounding, assists and steals. Nikitas was named the United States Basketball Writers Association Player of the Week, was chosen for the D3hoops.com Team of the Week and was twice named Midwest Conference Player of the Week.
Miller, who earned degrees in math and economics, was named a Midwest Conference Player of the Week during his career. He scored a career-high 27 points in his final game to lead Lawrence to a 96-89 overtime win at Monmouth College. Miller, who had a 3.80 GPA, hit eight 3-pointers in that game, and that ranks as the second-best game total in school history.
To be eligible for the team award, a team must have a minimum 3.0 GPA for the 2015-16 academic year. Individuals must have a minimum 3.2 grade point average and be a junior or senior to earn a place on the Honors Court.