SPOKANE, Wash. – Whitworth University men's basketball player Colin Willemsen has been recognized by regional college sports information directors for excellence on the court and in the classroom and has been named to the ESPN The Magazine CoSIDA Academic All-District VIII College Division men's basketball team. He is a Second Team selection.

Colin Willemsen

Willemsen (Sr., F, Moraga, Calif.) carries a 3.47 grade point average as a Health, Fitness and P. E. major. Willemsen leads the team and is second in the Northwest Conference in rebounding (8.1 per game) and is second in the league lead in offensive rebounds (2.8 per game). Willemsen is also seventh in the NWC (second on the team) in assists (3.4 per game). Finally, Willemsen leads Whitworth and is eighth in the NWC in steals (1.4 per game). All of this goes along with a strong 13.0 scoring average (second on the team). His eight double-doubles this season lead the NWC.

The college-division Academic All-District VIII teams are selected from NCAA Division II, Division III and NAIA players throughout the western United States. The players are nominated and selected by members of CoSIDA. To be eligible for nomination, a player must be a starter or important reserve with a 3.20 cumulative grade point average and of sophomore standing.

Willemsen has helped lead the Pirates to a tie atop the NWC basketball standings this season.