SportsUNLV Sports

Actions

UNLV Men's Basketball program scores best GPA average in team history

dec 19 unlv grads.png
Posted at 3:46 PM, Dec 19, 2020
and last updated 2020-12-19 18:49:58-05

LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The UNLV men’s basketball program had a record-setting 2020 fall semester as it achieved numerous academic highs, the athletics department announced Friday.

The Runnin’ Rebels turned in a semester grade point average of 3.57 for fall 2020, which is the program’s highest ever. It marked the third-straight record-setting semester GPA for the team as it previously turned in a 3.25 for fall 2019 and a 3.40 for spring 2020.

RELATED: OTHER UNLV SPORTS NEWS

In addition, the team holds a cumulative GPA of 3.32, also a record, while an all-time program-high nine student-athletes earned spots on the Dean’s Honor List.

“I am proud of the effort of our entire team and their focus on academics,” UNLV men’s basketball head coach T.J. Otzelberger said. “It is a high priority in our program and it is gratifying to see all of the hard work pay off with these achievements. We are fortunate to have outstanding academic support in our program, led by Connor Robinson and we appreciate the work that he has put in holding our guys accountable and pushing them to be their best in the classroom.”

All 15 student-athletes on the Runnin’ Rebel roster earned at least a 3.27 semester GPA during fall 2020 and Cheickna Dembele, who played for the team from 2016-20 and is currently a student assistant coach, graduated on Tuesday during winter commencement, earning a B.S.B.A. in international business.