Men's Basketball | 2/19/2014 2:47:00 PM
TOWSON, Md. – West Liberty University's C.J. Hester was one of only four men's basketball standouts nationwide – and the only junior – to repeat as Capital One NCAA Division II Academic All-Americans when the 2013-14 Academic All-America Teams were announced on Wednesday by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).
Hester achieved third-team Academic All-America status for the second consecutive season, joining Nebraska-Kearney's Mike Dentlinger, Seattle Pacific's David Downs and Dominykas Milka of St. Rose (N.Y.) on the prestigious 15-man honor roll as multiple Academic All-America honorees. Bryce Foster, a senior from Missouri Science & Technology, was the 2013-14 Capital One Academic All-American of the Year.
A 6-4 guard/forward from West Mifflin, Pa., Hester has played a key role in keeping the Hilltoppers ranked among the nation's elite throughout his stellar career while maintaining a sparkling 3.64 grade-point average in a challenging Biology major.
A 3-year regular with the four-time defending Atlantic Region champions, Hester has been a double-figure scorer throughout his career while ranking at or near the top of the conference charts in rebounding and field-goal percentage in each of his first three seasons.
Hester blew past the 1,000-point career mark earlier this season and is well on his way to becoming the first player in more than 80 years of West Liberty basketball to record 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds over the course of his career. After setting the school's freshman and sophomore rebounding records in each of his first two seasons, Hester blew past the 800-rebound milestone earlier this month.
The hard-working student-athlete is averaging nearly 14 points a game for the nation's highest-scoring team and leads the Hilltoppers in rebounding for the third straight year. Having helped WLU clinch the Mountain East Conference championship – their fifth consecutive league title – a week ago, he ranks among the MEC's top five in rebounds (8.4 rpg.) and field-goal percentage (.592).
A model of consistency, Hester has also shown the ability to post big numbers when needed. He's had five games with 20 points or more this season, highlighted by a 25-point night on 11-of-12 shooting from the floor in a February win at Concord and a 23-point, 16-rebound performance in a November win at Notre Dame (Ohio). He's posted 67 double-figure scoring games, 38 double-figure rebound games and 30 double-doubles over the course of his career.
To be eligible for Academic All-America consideration, a student-athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.30 or higher on a scale of 4.00, have reached sophomore athletic and academic standings at his/her current institution and be nominated by his/her sports information director.
2013-14 CAPITAL ONE ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICANS
NCAA Division II
Men's Basketball
FIRST TEAM
Name School Yr. Hometown GPA Major
Austin Armga Michigan Tech Sr. Waupun, Wis. 3.78 Exercise Science
Mike Dentlinger* Nebraska-Kearney Sr. Omaha, Neb. 3.95 Business Administration
Trey Casey Christian Brothers Jr. Cincinnati, Ohio 4.00 Business Administration
David Downs* Seattle Pacific Sr. Kirkland, Wash. 3.80 Accounting
Bryce Foster Missouri S&T Sr. Florissant, Mo. 3.89 Business & Mgt. Systems
SECOND TEAM
Name School Yr. Hometown GPA Major
Derek Billing Lake Superior State Sr. Anna, Ohio 3.59 Exercise Science
Chandler Hash Anderson (S.C.) Sr. Greer, S.C. 3.51 Nursing
Nicholas Kay Metropolitan State Jr. Tamworth, Australia 3.91 Biology
Mitch McCarron Metropolitan State Jr. Brisbane, Australia 3.87 Sport Industry Operations
Dominykas Milka* Saint Rose Sr. Ridgewood, N.Y. 3.65 Accounting
Teancum Stafford Alaska Anchorage Jr. Auburn, Wash. 4.00 Psychology
THIRD TEAM
Name School Yr. Hometown GPA Major
C.J. HESTER* WEST LIBERTY JR. WEST MIFFLIN, PA. 3.64 BIOLOGY
Carson Konrade Fort Hays State Sr. Spearville, Kan. 3.96 Exercise Science
Tylon Smith Southern Conn. State Jr. Manchester, Conn. 3.68 Recreation & Leisure
Ian Vescovi Pitt-Johnstown Jr. Patton, Pa. 4.00 Mathematics
*-repeat Academic All-America selection
