The Rotary Club of Salem has announced Emory University men's basketball senior Ben Pearce as a finalist for the 2026 Jostens Trophy.
The Jostens Trophy honors - one for men's basketball and one for women's basketball - are national awards created by the Rotary Club of Salem and sponsored by Jostens, Inc., to recognize the most outstanding men's and women's Division III basketball players of the year. The awards focus on three major criteria: basketball ability, academic prowess, and service to one's surrounding communities. The Jostens Trophy models the Rotary International motto of "Service Above Self" by recognizing those who truly fit the ideal of a well-rounded Division III student-athlete. The 2026 season marks the 28th time the Jostens Trophy honors will be awarded.
Pearce is one of 11 male finalists as he is joined by Chris Bryant (Hardin-Simmons), Brady Bruman (Sarah Lawrence), Mason Dopirak (Milwaukee School of Engineering), Mason Funk (Illinois Wesleyan), Sam Grieger (UW-La Crosse), Scott Gyimesi (Tufts), Chase Morgan (Maryville), Kevin Nowoswiat (Franklin & Marshall), Jack Plesser (Union (NY)) and Soren Richardson (Wheaton (IL)).
For the full Jostens Trophy finalists release, please click here.
Pearce has rewritten the Emory men's basketball record books with his history making senior season while leading the Eagles to their second consecutive Sweet 16 appearance and seventh in program history. Recently named the University Athletic Association Player of the Year, Pearce became the fourth-ever Eagle in team history to earn MVP honors and is the first-ever to be selected as a four-time All-UAA First Teamer. His tremendous campaign currently sees him with a Division III-leading 7.2 while averaging 24.2 points per game. Pearce has 21 games with 20 points or more including five games over 30 points. The veteran guard has 15 games with eight or more assists including four double-doubles. He became the all-time leading scorer in Emory history with a career-high 37 points at Carnegie Mellon on February 22 and reached 2,000 career points with 29 points in the NCAA Second Round against Roanoke. He has previously been recognized as a Bevo Francis and Trevor Hudgins Award Watch List member, a three-time UAA Athlete of the Week and has one appearance on the D3hoops.com National Team of the Week.
The finalists will now be reviewed by the Jostens Trophy National Selection Committee. The committee is composed of men and women from across the country. The committee features current and former athletic administrators and head coaches, past Jostens Trophy recipients, and select members of the Division III media. The committee will spend the next week-plus reviewing the nominees with the aim of announcing the two winners the week following both national championship events.
Additional information on the award can be found at https://odaconline.com/sports/jostenstrophy.
