AUGUSTA, Ga. – Clayton State graduate forward Jaumonee Byrd (Douglasville, Ga.) has been named to the 2016-17 Peach Belt Conference Men's Basketball Basketball All-Academic Team as announced by the league on Wednesday, February 15.
 
He is the first Laker men's basketball player to be named to the team since William Asplund during the 2014-15 season and just the third all-time. He joins Brian Kelly who was named to the very first team following the 2008-09 campaign.
 
Byrd is a graduate transfer from Division III Maryville (Tenn.) and posted a perfect 4.0 in his first semester at Clayton State. He is currently pursuing his Master's in Business Administration. On the court he is averaging 12.5 points and 6.9 rebounds and shooting .516 from the floor and .709 at the foul line.
 
In addition to being just the third selection to this team in the nine years it has existed, the 6-6 forward has accomplished something that no other Laker basketball player, men's or women's, has in 53 combined seasons. On February 9, Byrd was named a CoSIDA Academic All-District selection, becoming the first in the basketball program's history. He is also now eligible for Academic All-America consideration.
 
He is one eight selections to this year's team, including George Brown (Armstrong State), Aaron Byrd (Augusta), Vlad Cobzaru (Augusta), Tyler Dominy (North Georgia), Logan Kelley (Montevallo), Isaac Thomas (Georgia College) and C.J. Wilson (Young Harris). Byrd is also one of just two individuals to achieve a spot on that team with a perfect 4.0, joining Brown. He is the only graduate student among that group.
 
In order to qualify for the Academic All-Conference Team, student-athletes must have been at their institution for one calendar year, have achieved a cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.30 or higher on a 4.0 scale and competed in at least 50-percent of their sport as a significant contributor. The GPA is calculated through the previous semester.
 
An individual that is a graduate transfer to an institution other than where they earned their undergraduate degree is immediately eligible.
 
The Peach Belt Conference Basketball Academic All-Conference Teams are released near the close of the regular season each year and prior to the conference championship. Clayton State men's basketball is back in action on Saturday, February 18 when they head to Georgia College for a 5:30 p.m. tip-off.
 
2017 Peach Belt Conference Basketball Academic All-Conference Team
George Brown, Armstrong State
Aaron Byrd, Augusta
Jaumonee Byrd, Clayton State
Vlad Cobzaru, Augusta
Tyler Dominy, North Georgia
Logan Kelley, Montevallo
Isaac Thomas, Georgia College
C.J. Wison, Young Harris