OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (SMU) – Senior Ben Emelogu II has been named one of 30 candidates for the 2017-18 Senior CLASS Award. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence: community, classroom, character and competition.
This season on court, the 2016-17 American Athletic Conference Co-Sixth Man Of the Year is averaging 10.5 points, leads The American in 3-point percentage at 60.7 (37-61) and is shooting 53.0 percent from the field (53-100). The senior is also averaging 5.3 rebounds and 1.9 assists.
Prior to the start of the 2016-17 season, the coaches viewed the team as having six starters. After a discussion about rotating starters each game, Emelogu came forward and offered to come off the bench to help the team. He had earned a starting spot but felt it was best for the team. His selfless decision helped propel SMU to a school-record 30 wins, AAC regular season and tournament titles. He was also rewarded with the AAC Sixth Man of the Year award.
Off the court, Emelogu has been involved in several outreach efforts which includes reading to students and talking about the value of education, offering One-to-One Friendship and Leadership to the kids at Best Buddies Texas, distributing Thanksgiving Turkeys and food at Paul Quinn College in Dallas and participating in Together We Ball, an outreach program with Dallas Police, Pastors and Community Leaders in a friendly game of basketball for community building.
Emelogu graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Sport Performance Leadership, with a minor in Sport Management in May 2017. He is currently pursuing a Master’s of Science in Sport Management.
This is the third straight year SMU has boasted a national service/character award nominee. In 2015-16, the Mustangs had two representatives in Nic Moore (Senior CLASS candidate) and Semi Ojeleye (NABC Good Works Team), while Jonathan Wilfong was a NABC Good Works Team nominee last season.
Each of the 30 candidates selected for the award are in excellent academic standing and volunteers his time with charitable organizations and causes while upholding a reputation for positive character on campus and in the community.
The 30 candidate class will be narrowed to 10 finalists in February, and those 10 names will be placed on the official ballot. Ballots will be distributed through a nationwide voting system to media coaches and fans.
