Eastern Michigan Athletics

Men’s Basketball Freshman Earns NSCA All-American Award
3/23/2020 4:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball, Sports Performance
Chris James is the 17th Eagle to earn this award
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (EMUEagles.com) – The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) announced Eastern Michigan University men's basketball freshman Chris James (Long Beach, Calif.-St. John Bosco) was named a 2020 NSCA All-American. James is the third-straight men's basketball student-athlete (fourth overall), and the 17th Eagle to earn this award.
Nominated by EMU Assistant Sports Performance Coach, Seth Thomsen, James' determination to improve in athletics, while maintaining academic prominence is a great model for all student-athletes at Eastern.
"We are proud to have Seth join the NSCA in its mission to safely improve athletic performance," said Eric McMahon, NSCA's Coaching Program Manager. "Supporting our student-athletes guarantees a stronger future for the NSCA."
The NSCA All-American Strength and Conditioning Athletes of the Year program recognizes intercollegiate and high school athletes whose athletic accomplishments, in the opinion of their strength coach, reflect their dedication to strength training and conditioning. These players are also recognized for their academic and personal accomplishments as well as their integrity as student-athletes.
James, a first-time award recipient, played in 27 games for the Green and White during the 2019-20 campaign. The Long Beach, Calif. native averaged 4.4 points per game and recorded four double-figure scoring performance. He tallied a career-high 15 points against Western Michigan, Feb. 15, and drained a career-best four triples (4) in his first game in an EMU uniform versus Siena Heights, Nov. 8.
The NSCA is an international nonprofit educational association founded in 1978. Evolving from a membership of 76, the association now serves nearly 30,000 members in 52 countries. Drawing upon its vast network of members, the NSCA develops and presents the most advanced information regarding strength training and conditioning practices, injury prevention, and research findings.
Unlike any other organization, the NSCA brings together a diverse group of professionals from the sport science, athletic, allied health, and fitness industries. These individuals are all in pursuit of achieving a common goal—the utilization of proper strength training and conditioning to improve athletic performance and fitness.
Central to its mission, the NSCA provides a bridge between the scientist in the laboratory and the practitioner in the field. By working to find practical applications for new research findings in the strength and conditioning field, the association fosters the development of strength training and conditioning as a discipline and as a profession.
Headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the NSCA serves as a valuable resource for its members, the fitness industry, general public, and the media. The association provides a wide variety of resources and opportunities designed to strengthen, build, advance, and unify.
Nominated by EMU Assistant Sports Performance Coach, Seth Thomsen, James' determination to improve in athletics, while maintaining academic prominence is a great model for all student-athletes at Eastern.
"We are proud to have Seth join the NSCA in its mission to safely improve athletic performance," said Eric McMahon, NSCA's Coaching Program Manager. "Supporting our student-athletes guarantees a stronger future for the NSCA."
The NSCA All-American Strength and Conditioning Athletes of the Year program recognizes intercollegiate and high school athletes whose athletic accomplishments, in the opinion of their strength coach, reflect their dedication to strength training and conditioning. These players are also recognized for their academic and personal accomplishments as well as their integrity as student-athletes.
James, a first-time award recipient, played in 27 games for the Green and White during the 2019-20 campaign. The Long Beach, Calif. native averaged 4.4 points per game and recorded four double-figure scoring performance. He tallied a career-high 15 points against Western Michigan, Feb. 15, and drained a career-best four triples (4) in his first game in an EMU uniform versus Siena Heights, Nov. 8.
The NSCA is an international nonprofit educational association founded in 1978. Evolving from a membership of 76, the association now serves nearly 30,000 members in 52 countries. Drawing upon its vast network of members, the NSCA develops and presents the most advanced information regarding strength training and conditioning practices, injury prevention, and research findings.
Unlike any other organization, the NSCA brings together a diverse group of professionals from the sport science, athletic, allied health, and fitness industries. These individuals are all in pursuit of achieving a common goal—the utilization of proper strength training and conditioning to improve athletic performance and fitness.
Central to its mission, the NSCA provides a bridge between the scientist in the laboratory and the practitioner in the field. By working to find practical applications for new research findings in the strength and conditioning field, the association fosters the development of strength training and conditioning as a discipline and as a profession.
Headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the NSCA serves as a valuable resource for its members, the fitness industry, general public, and the media. The association provides a wide variety of resources and opportunities designed to strengthen, build, advance, and unify.
Players Mentioned
2025-26 Field of 68 Men's Basketball Preview: Eastern Michigan Eagles
Tuesday, October 21
Men's Basketball Alumni Game All Call
Tuesday, October 21
2025 E-Club Athletic Hall of Fame Ceremony
Saturday, October 11
E-Club Hall of Fame Class of 2025 Cinematic Recap
Saturday, October 11




