DAHLONEGA – The Peach Belt Conference announced its men's and women's basketball Teams of Academic Distinction for the 2024-25 academic year on Monday. The University of North Georgia had eight honorees between both its men's and women's basketball programs named to their respective teams. 

To be eligible for the team, a student-athlete must 1) participate in at least half of his/her team's events and be either a starter or significant contributor; 2) achieved a 3.50 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) and 3) completed at least one full academic year at his or her current institution and has reached sophomore athletic eligibility. The Peach Belt Conference Sports Information Directors oversee the program.

From men's basketball, senior guard Sutton Smith and sophomore forward Stephen Akwiwu were each selected to the team.

This year's honor marks Smith's third consecutive season being named to the PBC Team of Academic Distinction while Akwiwu made his first career appearance on the team Monday.

For the women's team, seniors Carly Fahey, Ansley Hall, Livi Blackstock along with graduates Emily Trushel and Caroline Martin and junior Jaleah Storr were all named to the 2024-25 Team of Academic Distinction.

For Fahey, a native of Suwanee, Ga., this marks her third consecutive season being named to the Team of Academic Distinction.

Hall, a transfer from Tennessee Tech, earns her second academic PBC honor after completing her UNG career last season.

With this year's honor, Blackstock became a three-time PBC Team of Academic Distinction selection. The Elementary & Special Education major also earned theD2ADA Academic Achievement Award and was named a PBC Presidential Honor Roll Silver Scholar in 2023 and 2024. 

Trushel earned her second classroom honor with UNG and fourth academic honor within the conference after transferring from USC Aiken two years ago. 

Martin made her third career appearance on the Team of Academic Distinction list after missing all of last season with an injury. The Cummin, Ga. native has now earned six academic honors from the PBC.

Storr earned the first individual accolade of her Nighthawk career Monday. The PBC transfer from Georgia Southwestern and Georgia College also earned her first academic acclaim from the conference Monday. 

Monday's announcement is just the first of several scheduled Team of Academic Distinction announcements from the league office this week. The rest of the teams including tennis, golf, track & field, softball and baseball will be announced later this week.