Academic Excellence | June 1, 2026

AUGUSTA, Ga. – The Peach Belt Conference (PBC) announced on Monday morning its selections for the men's and women's basketball All-Academic team.  Formerly known as Team of Academic Distinction award (TOAD), Clayton State University men's and women's basketball saw a combined 13 selections.
 
On the women's side, the Lakers saw nine selections, which is the most in program history and most in the PBC this season.  The men's team placed four on the list, which is the most in program history and the second most in the PBC this season. 
 
WOMEN
The women's team included Etaria Gibbons, India Dowling-Green, Tianna Dismuke, Dazjanae Greene, Jada Grigsby, Joy Harris, Rahimeh Salaam, Armani Shaw, and Nya Young.  Gibbons is the only Laker to be honored for a second time.  Etaria led the team last season with 40 blocks and was second with 121 rebounds.  Gibbons is also a two-time CSC Academic All-District selection and earned the PBC Presidential Honor Roll and D2ADA Academic Achievement last season.  Dowling-Green played in 16 games last season and adds this honor to a resume that included a PBC Presidential Honor Roll and D2ADA Academic Achievement nod last season.  Dismuke made a big impact on the Lakers in the 2025-26 season as she led the team with 203 rebounds and notched five double doubles.  Greene also had an outstanding season as she averaged 6.6 points a game in 28 games. 
 
Grigsby, Harris, and Salaam came off the bench as they combined playing in 68 games and 71 rebounds.  These are the first academic achievements for the trio of Lakers. Shaw and Young rounded out the selections for the Lakers.  Shaw, who was placed on the 2025 PBC Presidential Honor Roll list, appeared in 21 games, tossed in 64 points, and grabbed 20 rebounds.  Young had a standout season for the Lakers as she finished second on the team with 51 assists and finished fourth with 35 steals.
 
MEN
The men's team included DJ Wright, Andre Young, Justin Evans, and David Jones.  Wright is the only Laker to be selected for this distinction for the second time.  DJ had a solid season for the Lakers in 2025-26. He played and started in all 28 games and led the team with 55 made threes.  In addition, Wright scored the second most points on the team and averaged 14.8 points a game and saw 21 games of double-digit scoring.  DJ was selected as a 2026 CSC Academic All-District honoree and was placed on the 2025 PBC Presidential Honor Roll.  Young made an immediate impact for the Lakers.  Andre led the team with 462 points and averaged 17.8 a game.  He also led the team with 78 assists and 167 field goals.  Like Wright, Young was a 2026 CSC Academic All-District selection. Evans and Jones were impactful off the bench for the Lakers.  In 28 games, Evans scored 59 points and grabbed 27 boards.  Justin was also honored as a CSC Academic All-District recipient earlier this season.  Jones appeared in only 12 games in his first season at Clayton State.
 
ABOUT THE AWARD
The PBC All-Academic Team recognizes PBC student athletes who boasted a GPA over 3.5, who is of sophomore standing, and who has played in over half of the games in the season.  Transfers will be eligible if they meet the criteria.  The Sports Information Directors of the Peach Belt supervise the All-Academic Team award.
 
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