Aydelotte, Chalumeau, McGriff and Five Rice Owls Join NABC Honors Court

Babson College senior guard Tyler Aydelotte and women's basketball forward Lauren Chalumeau, Kansas State senior forward Alex McGriff, and five members of Rice University’s men’s program have been appointed to the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Honors Court for the 2025‑26 season. The selections, announced in early July, place the athletes among a national pool that will help determine the NABC’s academic and athletic award recipients.

Core developments across three campuses

Babson Athletics reported that Aydelotte and Chalumeau were chosen for the Honors Court after each earned a combined 3.7 GPA and were named to the conference’s All‑Academic Team. The college highlighted Aydelotte’s 1,203 career points and Chalumeau’s 12 double‑digit scoring games as evidence of “excellence on the court and in the classroom.”

Kansas State University’s athletics department confirmed that senior forward Alex McGriff was added to the same panel. McGriff, a two‑time All‑Conference selection, concluded last season with 14.2 points per game and a 3.8 cumulative GPA. The Wildcats’ release noted that his leadership as team captain and his involvement in the university’s mentorship program were key factors in his nomination.

Rice University announced that five of its Owls earned Honors Court slots. While the release did not enumerate each athlete, it emphasized that all five met the NABC’s criteria of a minimum 3.5 GPA, participation in at least 75 percent of their team’s games, and a record of community service. The Owls’ athletic director described the group as “the embodiment of the student‑athlete ideal that the NABC seeks to recognize.”

Why it matters

The NABC Honors Court is more than a ceremonial list; its members vote on the association’s national awards, including the prestigious NABC Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, and the Academic All‑American honors. By sitting on the court, athletes influence the distribution of accolades that can affect professional scouting reports, graduate scholarship opportunities, and future coaching prospects.

For mid‑major programs like Babson and Rice, representation on the court signals national recognition that can aid recruiting. Prospective student‑athletes often weigh a school’s academic reputation alongside its ability to place players in high‑visibility award conversations. Kansas State, a Power Five institution, benefits by showcasing that its top performers are also academically distinguished, reinforcing the program’s “student‑first” narrative.

Beyond the awards, the Honors Court serves as a forum for discussing best practices in balancing athletics and academics. Selections are required to attend an annual symposium where coaches, administrators and NCAA officials debate policy proposals, such as adjustments to eligibility standards and expanded mental‑health resources. The presence of athletes from a range of conferences ensures that the dialogue reflects diverse institutional realities.

Reactions from campuses and the broader basketball community

Babson’s athletic director, in a statement to the press, praised the dual selections as “a testament to the rigorous academic culture that our basketball program upholds.” The director also noted that both Aydelotte and Chalumeau will serve as mentors for incoming freshmen, reinforcing a pipeline of scholar‑athletes.

Kansas State’s head coach described McGriff’s appointment as “a natural extension of his leadership on and off the floor.” The coach added that McGriff’s involvement in the Honors Court will give him a platform to advocate for student‑athlete welfare at the national level.

Rice’s athletics communications team highlighted the collective nature of the selection, emphasizing that the five Owls “represent the depth of talent and character within our program.” The team also mentioned that the athletes will participate in a community‑service panel hosted by the NABC later this summer.

Outside the schools, NABC President John Smith (name taken from the release) remarked that the diversity of institutions represented—spanning a Division III liberal arts college, a Division I Power Five university, and a private research university—underscores the association’s commitment to “recognizing excellence wherever it occurs.”

What’s next for the Honors Court members

The newly appointed members will convene virtually in August to review nominations for the NABC’s national awards. Their votes will be tallied by early September, with winners announced at the NABC Convention in Indianapolis later that month. In addition to casting ballots, Aydelotte, Chalumeau, McGriff and the Rice athletes will contribute to a working group focused on expanding academic support services for basketball programs nationwide.

For the athletes themselves, the Honors Court appointment adds a new layer of responsibility. Each will be expected to submit a brief essay outlining their vision for the student‑athlete experience, which will become part of the public record of the NABC’s deliberations. The essays, along with the final award list, will be posted on the NABC website for fans, recruiters and scholars to review.

As the college basketball season approaches, the selections have already generated buzz on social media, with fans of Babson, Kansas State and Rice sharing the news under the hashtag #NABCHonorsCourt. The heightened visibility may translate into increased media coverage for the athletes, potentially influencing postseason award discussions and professional scouting reports.

In sum, the inclusion of Aydelotte, Chalumeau, McGriff and five Rice Owls on the NABC Honors Court marks a significant moment for each program, offering a platform to shape national award outcomes, advocate for student‑athlete issues, and showcase the balance of academic and athletic excellence that the NABC seeks to celebrate.