HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Drew McDonald and Nick Ayers of the Northern Kentucky University men's basketball team were recognized on the 2017-18 National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Honors Court the organization released Tuesday.
 
The award comes off the heels of the Norse men's program garnering NABC's Team Academic Excellence Award for posting a combined GPA above 3.0 for the entire 2017-18 academic calendar.
 
McDonald is no stranger to collecting honors, both for his work in the classroom and on the court. He was a member of the Horizon League All-Academic Team this year and currently holds a 3.37 GPA as a marketing major. McDonald is also a two-time First Team All-Horizon League honoree and was named to the NABC All-District 12 First Team after averaging 17.0 points and 9.6 rebounds per game this past season, while ranking 11^th in the nation with 18 double-doubles.
 
This marks the first award for Ayers, who spent two years as a walk-on for the Norse. Ayers holds a 3.96 GPA as a middle grades and special education double major and is on pace to graduate in December after successfully completing his student teaching in the fall.
 
In order to qualify for the award, student-athletes must academically be a junior or senior and hold a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher.