The National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) today announced the NABC Honors Court, recognizing those collegiate basketball student-athletes who excelled in academics during the 2011-12 season. The NABC Honors Court recognizes the talents and gifts that these men possess off the court, and the hard work they exhibit in the classroom.

The three members from the University of Rochester were senior forward Nathan Novosel, junior guard John DiBartolomeo and junior guard Dan Shapiro.

This season DiBartolomeo, a Financial Economics major, started all 25 games for the Yellowjackets and was an All-UAA First Team selection for the second straight year.  He led team in scoring (19.1 ppg.), assists (145), and steals (56) and finished second in rebounding, grabbing 126 boards (5.0 rpg.)  Scored 21 points at Chicago on January 29 to become 26th player in school history to reach 1,000 career points.  DiBartolomeo also ranked 2nd in the UAA in scoring, 2nd in assists, 1st in steals and 3rd in FT%.

Novosel, an NABC Honors Court member in 2010-11, started all 25 games and was a Second Team All-UAA selection, earning a fourth consectutive All-Conference honor. He was the team's second-leading scorer overall this year, scoring 12.4 ppg., while also shooting 56.0% from the floor (116-207) and 76.0% from the foul line (79-104).  On January 3, he scored 20 points at RIT, becoming the 25th player to break the 1,000-career point mark.  For his career, he hit 447 of 760 from the field – 58.8%, the second highest total in school history.  Novosel also earned the UR Athletic Department's Louis Alexander Award given out to the most outstanding male athlete.  He graduated in May with his degree in Political Science and Economics.

Shapiro, a Financial Economics major, saw limited action in 2011-12 appearing in only 12 games but was a key leader both on and off the court.  He helped UR achieve a perfect 12-0 record at home, stretching it's Palestra regular season winning streak to 20 games.  In 2011-12, the Yellowjackets ended 17-8 and finished tied for third in the UAA with Emory at 8-6 in the conference.

In order to be named to the Honors Court, an athlete must meet a high standard of academic criteria. The qualifications are as follows:

1.   Academically a junior or senior and a varsity player.

2.   Cumulative G.P.A. of 3.2 or higher at the conclusion of the 2011-12 academic year.

3.   Students must have matriculated at least one year at their current institution.

4.   Member of an NCAA Division I, II, III, or NAIA Institution.

NABC Honors Court Complete List