Nick Smith Director of Compliance | Eastern Michigan Athletics Website
Nick Smith Director of Compliance | Eastern Michigan Athletics Website
Yusuf Jihad of Eastern Michigan University men's basketball team has made history by being the first player from the program to earn four Academic All-Mid-American Conference honors. The achievement was announced by the league on Friday, April 4. This makes Jihad the first Eagle men's basketball player in 49 years to earn multiple All-MAC accolades.
Jihad, hailing from Farmington Hills, Michigan, has collected the program's 20th academic award from the MAC. He joins the ranks of previous Eagles like Dan Hoff, Walt Jones, and Trent Perry, who have also earned the accolade multiple times during their careers.
During the 2024-25 season, Jihad was one of four Eagles who participated in all 32 games, starting in two. He contributed significantly to the team, helping them reach the MAC tournament after a five-year gap. Jihad ranked third in the team for free throw percentage at 83.9% and fourth in three-point shooting at 34.1%. Averaging 4.3 points per game, he also scored in double figures in seven matches. His performance against Buffalo on January 25 was a standout, where he scored 15 points in just 12 minutes.
For a student-athlete to earn the Academic All-MAC honor, they must maintain a minimum grade-point average of 3.20, appear in more than half of the season's competitions, and not be a first-year student or new transfer.
Other members of the 2024-25 MAC Men's Basketball Academic All-MAC Team include players from schools like Akron, Ball State, Bowling Green, Buffalo, Central Michigan, Kent State, Miami, Northern Illinois, Ohio, Toledo, and Western Michigan. These athletes have demonstrated both academic and athletic excellence, maintaining high GPAs in various fields of study.
The full list of honorees showcases the commitment of student-athletes towards both their academic and sports endeavors, reflecting the balance they maintain between the two.
For updates on Eastern Michigan University's teams and players, fans can visit EMUEagles.com or follow the team on social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram.
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