FAIRFAX, Va. - The George Mason University men's basketball team has been honored with an NABC Team Academic Excellence Award, the National Association of Basketball Coaches announced this week.
It marks the second time in three seasons under Coach Skinn that the Patriot men's basketball program has garnered the accolade. George Mason is one of three A-10 teams to sport the distinction.
In addition, George Mason graduate student-athletes
Nick Ellington and
Jahari Long were named to the NABC Honors Court.
To be recognized with a NABC Team Academic Excellence Award, a program's student-athletes must post a combined 3.0 GPA or better for an academic year.
The NABC Honors Court, meanwhile, includes junior, senior and graduate student men's basketball players who finished the 2025-26 year with a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher.
Ellington earned a 3.27 GPA while completing a graduate certificate in sports management. The St. Louis product saw action in 31 games for the Patriots and made five starts. He totaled five games with 10+ points and recorded two double-doubles while ranking t-2nd on the team in field goal percentage (.566). His 18 blocks also ranked second on the Patriots
Long posted a 3.25 GPA while also completing his graduate certificate in sports management. He enjoyed a breakout season for the Patriots in 2025-26, starting all 33 games and ranking third on the team in scoring (12.2 ppg). He shot 37.7 percent from 3pt range and ranked sixth in the A-10 in both assists/game (4.0) and assist/turnover ratio (2.26). His 82.6 free throw percentage ranked 11
th in the league.
