After previously earning recognition from D3hoops.com earlier this week, members of the Emory University men's basketball team received more accolades this week from the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC).
Senior Ben Pearce was selected to the NABC All-America Second Team as well as the Region VI All-District First Team alongside classmate Jair Knight. Head Coach Jason Zimmerman was also named the Region's Coach of the Year, marking his third coaching honor this season.
Pearce is the fourth player in program history to be tabbed as an All-American by the NABC, joining Tim Garrett (1990), Alex Foster (2015) and Matthew Schner (2022). The award adds to his growing resume for his tremendous senior season where he has previously been recognized as a D3hoops.com Region VI and University Athletic Association Player of the Year, Bevo Francis Top 25 and Trevor Hudgins Top 15 Watch Lists, First Team All-UAA, D3hoops.com All-Region First Team and a Jostens Trophy finalist. The NABC All-Region selection is Pearce's fourth of his career and first on the First Team after three previous Second Team nods.
Knight makes his third NABC All-District appearance and second straight on the First Team. He has previously been recognized this season as a D3hoops.com All-Region and All-UAA First Teamer, the UAA Co-Defensive Player of the Year as well as a Bevo Francis Top 50 and Trevor Hudgins Top 25 Watch List member.
Zimmerman earns his second career NABC District Coach of the Year award after previously winning in 2013. This season, Zimmerman has been recognized as the Coach of the Year for the UAA and D3hoops.com Region VI as he has led the Eagles to their second straight Elite Eight appearance.
Emory is 25-3 under the strength of Zimmerman, Pearce and Knight with the 25 wins currently tied for the most in a single season in team history. The Eagles will be back on the court Thursday afternoon at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne, Indiana as Emory will take on Illinois Wesleyan University at 3:30 PM. The game can be streamed on ESPN+.
