KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Four members of the 2008-09 University of the Rio Grande RedStorm men's basketball squad have been named to the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Honors Court, released Wednesday afternoon.

Seniors Brett Beucler (Sardinia, OH), Will Norwell (Cincinnati, OH) and Kory Valentine (Circleville, OH) as well as junior P.J. Rase (Wheelersburg, OH) were all named to the list.

Beucler majored in Integrated Mathematics, Norwell in Intervention Specialist, Valentine in Integrated Social Studies and Rase in Management Accounting.

In a release, The NABC states that it recognizes "those collegiate basketball student-athletes who excelled in academics. 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."

Rio Grande head coach Ken French was extremely pleased for his student-athletes. "To have four players awarded to the NABC Honors court is another example of how successful this past year was," he said. "For the three seniors, Brett, Will and Kory this is the second year being honored for them. Academics is the main reason for us bringing kids into our program. This is a great accomplishment for all four and we look forward to having more in the future."

"This is the second recognition nationally for Brett and P.J. as they were both named NAIA Scholar Athletes as well," French added. "What a great honor for our program to win twenty games and have all the post season academic honors we have had. I am very proud of these young men."