Belmont University junior Justin Hare received one of the most prestigious honors of his collegiate career Wednesday, as he was named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Second Team.
The Cleveland, Tenn. native, who Tuesday was named First Team All-Atlantic Sun, received Academic All-District honors for a second consecutive year earlier this month. Hare sports a 3.85 GPA in his major of exercise science and health promotion.
The reigning Atlantic Sun Tournament MVP leads Belmont in scoring at 14.4 points per game and ranks among the Atlantic Sun leaders in five offensive categories.
Hare becomes the third men’s basketball player in school history to be so honored, joining Wes Burtner (2001, 2002) and Adam Mark (2002, 2003, 2004).
“I think it is one of the nicest awards you can receive as a student-athlete,” Belmont Head Coach Rick Byrd said. “It takes into account achievements both in the classroom and on the court. Justin worked hard to earn this recognition, and it is nice for him to follow in the footsteps of Wes and Adam who set a standard of academic and athletic excellence as we moved into Division-I play.”
Hare is fifth on the Bruins’ career scoring list (NCAA era) with 1,221 points. He was one of 40 First Team Academic All-District honorees in Division-I basketball up for the award.
Complete ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Teams can be viewed at www.cosida.com.
