The Virginia Tech men's basketball program enjoyed record success on the hardwood during the 2018-19 season. But the numbers posted in the classroom may have the longest-lasting impact on the program and its student-athletes.
Though regulations prevent the dissemination of individual grade-point averages, a long list of student-athletes in the program were recognized by their diligence and efforts in academic pursuits. In all, 11 team members from last season earned some sort of school or conference acclaim.
"The academic success of this team is a reflection of all of the hard work they put in on a daily basis," Alise Svihla, associate director of student-athlete academic support services, said. "Their commitment to being successful on and off the court has been inspiring. I am so proud of this team for what they have done to have a record-breaking year in the classroom."
Overall, the program registered a 3.33 team grade-point average during the 2018-19 season, the highest in school history. Tech posted a then-record 3.22 GPA in the fall semester, only to shatter that mark with a 3.48 GPA in the spring semester. On the court, the team recorded 26 victories and made a trip to the NCAA Sweet 16.
In the fall semester, three student-athletes in the program earned Dean's List accolades, signifying a grade-point average of 3.4 or higher. Ten players were named to the Athletics Director's Honor Roll, with a 3.0 GPA or higher, and one student-athlete had a perfect 4.0 GPA in the fall semester.
When the Hokies took the court following the end of the fall semester, Tech had the distinction of starting four student-athletes who already had earned their undergraduate degrees. Two of those players had done so in just 3.5 years as an undergraduate.
In the spring semester, four student-athletes earned Dean's List designation and 10 more earned AD Honor Roll acclaim. In the spring, two men's basketball student-athletes earned perfect 4.0 grade-point averages.
The hard work in the classroom was not overlooked by the Atlantic Coast Conference. The league named four Hokies — Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Wabissa Bede, Ahmed Hill and Justin Robinson — to the 2019 All-ACC Academic team. The four Hokies on the team were the second-most among the 15 ACC teams.
When the league published its 2018-19 ACC Academic Honor Roll, a whopping 11 Hokies made the grade, signifying a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better. The trio of Kerry Blackshear Jr., Hill and Robinson were honored by the Scholar Baller Academic Momentum Awards.