Eastern Michigan Athletics
Ballard Jr. Earns Spot on Men’s Basketball Academic All-MAC Team
4/8/2020 9:01:00 AM | Men's Basketball
The redshirt sophomore is one of 14 student-athletes to be honored by the conference
CLEVELAND, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) -- The Mid-American Conference announced Wednesday, April 7, that Eastern Michigan University men's basketball redshirt sophomore Derek Ballard Jr. (Southfield, Mich.-Southfield-Lathrup) was honored as a member of the 2020 Academic-All MAC team, as a student-athlete who excelled both on the court and in the classroom.
Ballard Jr. is the seventh-straight and 17th overall men's basketball student-athlete to be recognized for this award. Only four Eagles in men's basketball history have been named to the Academic All-MAC Team multiple times: Dan Hoff (1975-76), Walt Jones (1975-76), Trent Perry (2015-16), and Paul Jackson (2018-19).
Western Michigan led all teams in the conference with five selections followed by three from Toledo. Eastern Michigan, Akron, Ball State, Buffalo, Kent State, and Ohio each had one student-athlete honoree.
The Academic All-MAC honor is for a student-athlete who has excelled in athletics and academics over the course of the 2019-20 year. To qualify, a student-athlete must have at least a 3.20 cumulative GPA and have participated in at least 50 percent of the contests for that particular sport.
Ballard Jr. appeared in 18 games for the Green and White and posted a career-high five points twice during the 2019-20 campaign. The redshirt sophomore went 2-of-4, including a triple, against Concordia, Dec. 30 before posting a clutch performance in a 66-62 victory over Buffalo, Feb. 4. The Southfield, Mich.-product finished with five points, five rebounds, and a steal in seven minutes of play versus the Bulls.
The center boasts a 3.43 cumulative GPA and is studying Sport management .
Ballard Jr. is the seventh-straight and 17th overall men's basketball student-athlete to be recognized for this award. Only four Eagles in men's basketball history have been named to the Academic All-MAC Team multiple times: Dan Hoff (1975-76), Walt Jones (1975-76), Trent Perry (2015-16), and Paul Jackson (2018-19).
Western Michigan led all teams in the conference with five selections followed by three from Toledo. Eastern Michigan, Akron, Ball State, Buffalo, Kent State, and Ohio each had one student-athlete honoree.
The Academic All-MAC honor is for a student-athlete who has excelled in athletics and academics over the course of the 2019-20 year. To qualify, a student-athlete must have at least a 3.20 cumulative GPA and have participated in at least 50 percent of the contests for that particular sport.
Ballard Jr. appeared in 18 games for the Green and White and posted a career-high five points twice during the 2019-20 campaign. The redshirt sophomore went 2-of-4, including a triple, against Concordia, Dec. 30 before posting a clutch performance in a 66-62 victory over Buffalo, Feb. 4. The Southfield, Mich.-product finished with five points, five rebounds, and a steal in seven minutes of play versus the Bulls.
The center boasts a 3.43 cumulative GPA and is studying Sport management .
2019-20 MAC Men's Basketball Academic All-MAC Team
Loren Cristian Jackson, Akron, Junior, Business Administration, 3.31 GPA
Kyle Mallers, Ball State, Senior, Finance/MBA, 4.0 GPA
Brock Bertram, Buffalo, Junior, Social Sciences, 3.27 GPA
Derek Ballard Jr., Eastern Michigan, Redshirt Sophomore, Sport Management 3.43 GPA
Mitch Peterson, Kent State, Senior, Business, 3.28 GPA
Ben Vander Plas, Ohio, R-Sophomore, 3.99 GPA, Communication Studies
Luke Knapke, Toledo, Senior, Management/Marketing, 3.27 GPA
Spencer Littleson, Toledo, Junior, Marketing, 3.34 GPA
T.J. Smith, Toledo, R-Freshman, Law & Social Thought, 3.25 GPA
William Boyer-Richard, Western Michigan, Business, 3.81 GPA
Patrick Emilien, Western Michigan, Sophomore, Business, 3.68 GPA
Adida Ikongshul, Western Michigan, Sophomore, Management, 3.51 GPA
Jared Printy, Western Michigan, Senior, Sports Management, 3.77 GPA
Jason Whitens, Western Michigan, R-Sophomore, Sales & Business Marketing, 3.35 GPA
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