7.12.2012

FARMVILLE, Va. -- Longwood University graduate Jan van der Kooij|Tiendeveen, The Netherlands has been named to the 2011-12 NABC Honors Court by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC).  The NABC Honors Court recognizes the talents and gifts that these men possess off the court, and the hard work they exhibit in the classroom.  To be named to the Honors Court, an athlete must meet a high standard of academic criteria as a junior or senior varsity player with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.2 or higher at the conclusion of the 2011-12 academic year.
   
“As we strive for excellence in all areas associated with college athletics, it's outstanding for Jan to be recognized with such a prestigious honor,” said 10th-year Longwood men's basketball head coach Mike Gillian.  “He did a great job representing Longwood University and our men's basketball program over his four-year career, all the while achieving and maintaining tremendous academic success.”
   
Jan van der Kooij graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration with a concentration in management while attaining a 3.43 GPA.  The 6-7 forward started all 31 games this past season and averaged 6.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.2 assists while shooting 34% (78-229) from the field, 29% (38-133) on three-point field goals, and 50% (20-40) at the free throw line.  He posted eight double-figure scoring games and three double-doubles while adding 11 steals and seven blocks.  van der Kooij posted season highs of 19 points (Seton Hall, 12.23) and 13 rebounds (NJIT, 2.25), and led the team in rebounding five times.  A four-time Longwood Scholar-Athlete Award recipient, Jan is the son of Kelli and Hille van der Kooij of The Netherlands.
   
Longwood returns seven lettermen for 2012-13, and has added six newcomers to the program with the possibility of adding yet another addition to the team for this year.  The Lancers became the 12th member of the Big South Conference on July 1, and will play a Big South schedule during this upcoming season while immediately eligible for the league tournament.