Northwestern Earns NABC Team Academic Excellence Award, Places Five on Honors Court

July 16, 2026 by Jacob Pavilack KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Northwestern men’s basketball was honored as a recipient of the 2025-26 NABC Team Academic Excellence Award, the NABC announced Wednesday morning. Five Wildcat graduates from the 2025-26 roster — Blake Smith, Gus Hurlburt, Jordan Clayton, Justin Mullins and Nick Martinelli — earned spots on the NABC Honors Court, representing academic achievement in the classroom by individual players. “College basketball student-athletes do incredible things on the court, but their achievements in the classroom are equally worthy of celebration,” said NABC Executive Director Craig Robinson. “Education is one of the NABC’s core…