2022-23 CSC Academic All-America Men’s Basketball Teams
SEWARD, Neb. – One of the all-time great rebounders in Concordia Men’s Basketball history, Gage Smith has proven to be a well-rounded student-athlete. On Tuesday (March 14), Smtih was recognized appropriately with placement on the NAIA’s 2022-23 Academic All-America Men’s Basketball Second Team, as selected by College Sports Communicators (CSC). Back on Feb. 21, Gage had been announced as an Academic All-District honoree along with his brother Tristan and teammate Brad Bennett.
Gage joins recent men’s basketball program standouts in Carter Kent (2016-20) and Chandler Folkerts (2013-17) as Academic All-America award winners. Folkerts was named an Academic All-American three times and was tabbed the CoSIDA NAIA Men’s Basketball Academic All-American of the Year in 2016-17.
As Head Coach Ben Limback of Gage Smith, “It has been fun to see the growth and development in Gage over the years. He went from a skinny freshman to one of the best forwards in the GPAC. His drive and dedication helped raise the level of Bulldog Basketball.”
The 2022-23 Academic All-America® Men’s Basketball Teams, selected by College Sports Communicators, recognize the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom. Student-athletes must achieve a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher in order to be nominated for this award. The CSC Academic All-America® program separately recognizes honorees in four divisions — NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA — for each gender.
As an undergraduate, Gage Smith graduated with a 4.0 grade point average while studying Business Administration. Gage made a name for himself while improving tremendously over the course of his five years as a Bulldog. The Elizabeth, Colo., native wound up with career totals of 1,355 points, 899 rebounds, 282 assists, 138 steals and 74 blocks in 134 games. On the program’s all-time lists, Gage ranks second in rebounding, 11th in assists and 14th in scoring. Smith was twice named Second Team All-GPAC and once was named first team all-league. He played on three separate national tournament teams and helped the Bulldogs win GPAC tournament titles in 2020 and 2022 and a conference regular season championship in 2021-22.