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Grand Valley State's Ryan Sabin has been picking up some accolades on the court this season, but the senior guard was recently recognized for his performance in the classroom, as well. Sabin was one of just five players in the region to earn Capital One Academic All-District Team honors, released by CoSIDA on Thursday afternoon (Feb. 5). 

Chosen by the College Sports Information Directors of America, the Academic All-District Teams recognize the nation's top student-athletes for their performances athletically and academically. Players are separated into eight geographic districts across the country and split up by NCAA Divisions I, II, III, and a College Division (non-NCAA institutions). To be eligible to receive such an honor, student-athletes must be a starter or key reserve, have reached at least sophomore academic eligibility, and maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.30 on a 4.00 point scale.

Since Sabin was named to the District 4 First Team, he will advance to the All-America Team ballot, where CoSIDA will select First, Second, and Third Team All-America honorees later this month.

The Academic All-District 4 Team voted on players from the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, the Great Lakes Valley Conference, and the Great Midwest Conference. All five players that were chosen, however, were from the GLIAC. Joining Sabin on the District 4 Team were Hillsdale's Kyle Cooper, Findlay's Jake Heagen, and Michigan Tech's Kyle Stankowski and Ben Stelzer. 

A finance major with nearly a 3.6 GPA, Sabin leads the Lakers with 13.7 points per game and has knocked down a team-best 37 three-pointers. Earlier this season in a game at Findlay, Sabin became the 32nd member of the 1,000 point club at GVSU. He currently sits in 28th place in Laker history with 1,144 career points.

With 183 career three-pointers, Sabin is the sixth-most prolific outside shooter in Grand Valley State history. The two-time All-GLIAC selection, Sabin recently solidified his name in the Laker record book by sinking 42 consecutive free throws, a new GVSU record. He leads the GLIAC with a 91.7 free throw percentage, good for fifth in all of Division II.