Velander Named to Academic All-Big 12 Team

Sophomore guard Paul Velander was one of 10 players named to the academic All-Big 12 men's basketball first team, announced Thursday, March 1, by the conference office. Overall, 23 student-athletes were honored on the first or second teams by the league.

A native of Blacksburg, Va., Velander is the 24th Husker named to the all-academic squad since the formation of the Big 12 Conference, a total that ranks second in the league. Last year, three Huskers were honored on the first team.

Despite battling injuries earlier in the year, Velander has come on strong on the court this season while also picking up the first academic award of his career. He is currently fourth on the team from beyond the arc with 26 treys, and is one of five current Huskers with at least 20 3-pointers on the season.

The only walk-on to see significant playing time this year, Velander has played in 24 games while averaging 3.8 points per game in 13.7 minutes of action. He has hit 38.8 percent (26-of-67) from 3-point range and 81.3 percent (13-of-16) from the foul line.

Nominated by the school's director of student-athlete support services and the media relations office, first-team members consist of those student-athletes who have maintained a 3.2 or better grade-point average while second-team members posted a 3.0 to 3.19 GPA.

To qualify, student-athletes must have maintained a 3.0 GPA or higher cumulative for their career or over the past two semesters and must have participated in at least 60 percent of the team's contests. Freshmen and transfers are not eligible in their first year at an institution. Seniors who have participated for a minimum of two years and meet all criteria except playing time are also eligible.