Brandon Cole take a free throw.
photo by Bryan Athletics
Dayton, Tenn. – Bryan College senior, Brandon Cole, was named to the 2015-16 College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-District 2 College Division Men’s Basketball Team, CoSIDA announced Thursday.
Cole is one of five players to make the All-District 2 Team winners.
There are 23 winners total among the four districts while six were recognized with first team distinction.
CoSIDA began the distinguished Academic All-America® program in the 1950's, and since then, has honored thousands of deserving student-athletes from numerous sports and across all divisions with these elite Academic All-America® scholar-athlete honors. Currently, CoSIDA honors Academic All-Americas in 12 sports.
For the fifth year in a row, the Academic All-America® program is comprised of four divisional teams, with student-athletes being honored separately in Division I, Division II, and Division III. A fourth team - the College Division team - is comprised of NAIA, Canadian, and two-year student-athletes. District 2 consists of schools from Kentucky, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, and Tennessee.
To be nominated, a student-athlete must be a starter or important reserve with at least a 3.30 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) at his/her current institution. Nominated athletes must have participated in at least 50 percent of the team’s games and have junior or senior status.
6'2" center, Brandon "Bubby" Cole, remains the Bryan Lions primary element this season, leading the nation in a myriad of stats: No. 1 in total scoring (701), No. 1 in points per game (29.2), No. 5 in total rebounds (270), No. 1 in offensive rebounds per game (3.9), No. 3 in total rebounds per game (11.2), No. 9 in defensive rebounds per game (7.2), and ranks 27th in field goal percentage (55.4). He takes 1st place in conference in total double-doubles, registering 15 this year.
Last year his performance earned him honors of 2014-15 Third Team NAIA Div. II Men’s Basketball All-America. Cole, named the AAC player of the year last season, led the AAC and NAIA Division II in scoring and rebounding as he averaged 29.14 points and 11.32 rebounds per game. His 816 total points ranked him second nationally as did his 317 total rebounds. He scored a season-high 51 points against St. Catharine (Ky.) on Nov. 3, making him one of only two players in the nation to net 50 or more points in a game during the 2014-15 season.
In January, Small College Basketball announced the Bevo Francis Award Top-100 Watch List, and Cole made the cut. The Clarence "Bevo" Francis Award will be presented annually to the player who has had the finest overall season within Small College Basketball (NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, NAIA Division I, NAIA Division II, USCAA, and NCCAA). This will be an incredibly prestigious award as this award will only be given to one player within Small College Basketball per season.
Last month, Cole was also named the Tennessee Sports Writers Association (TSWA) Men's Basketball Player of the Week, posting three straight double-doubles and averaging 27.0 points and 13.7 rebounds in three contests for the Lions.
This season he reached the 2,000th point milestone and has compiled 2,685 total points, 1,199 total rebounds, and a 53.4 shooting percentage (953-for-1,783) during his time as a Bryan Lion.