Navy Men’s Basketball Continues Academic Success as Four Midshipmen Earn NABC Honors Court Recognition
ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Success for the Navy men’s basketball program is not measured only by wins and losses. It is also measured by excellence in the classroom, and the Midshipmen once again proved they are among the nation’s best.
The National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) announced that Austin Benigni, Sam Krist, Cam Cole, and Aidan Kehoe have been named to the 2025-26 NABC Honors Court, recognizing men’s basketball student-athletes who have achieved a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.20 while competing at the varsity level.
The recognition continues an impressive run for the Midshipmen, who have become one of the Patriot League’s premier academic basketball programs. Balancing Division I basketball with the demanding academic and military responsibilities of the United States Naval Academy is one of the toughest challenges in college athletics, making the accomplishment even more significant.
Four Midshipmen Earn National Recognition
Two members of the group are repeat honorees.
Austin Benigni capped off an outstanding Navy career by earning his second consecutive NABC Honors Court selection. The senior guard graduated with a 3.45 GPA while completing one of the academy’s most challenging majors in computer science. Benigni was also one of the team’s leaders on the floor throughout his career, making his classroom success equally impressive.
Sam Krist also earned Honors Court recognition for the second straight season. The senior guard completed his degree in ocean engineering with a 3.49 GPA, showcasing the discipline required to excel in one of Navy’s rigorous engineering programs while competing in Division I basketball.
Cam Cole received the first Honors Court selection of his career after posting a 3.57 GPA as a cyber operations major. Cole is expected to play a major leadership role during the 2026-27 season after being selected as one of Navy’s team captains.
Aidan Kehoe rounded out the quartet, earning his first NABC Honors Court honor after graduating with a 3.23 GPA in political science. The senior center demonstrated the commitment and consistency required to succeed in both academics and athletics throughout his Navy career.
A Program Built on Excellence
The latest awards continue a remarkable trend for the Midshipmen.
Since the NABC Honors Court program began during the 2006-07 academic year, Navy has established itself as one of the nation’s most consistent academic basketball programs.
Among the milestones:
- Four Midshipmen earned Honors Court recognition for the third time in the past five seasons.
- Navy has produced at least one recipient in 13 of the award’s 19 years.
- The Midshipmen have now had an Honors Court recipient in seven consecutive seasons.
- The program has accumulated 29 total Honors Court selections.
- Eleven players have earned the recognition at least twice during their careers.
- Eighteen different Midshipmen have received the honor overall.
Those numbers reflect the culture head coach Ed DeChellis and his staff have continued to build—one that emphasizes leadership, accountability, and success beyond basketball.
More Than Basketball
Few schools ask more of their student-athletes than the United States Naval Academy.
Midshipmen balance demanding coursework, military leadership training, physical requirements, and Division I athletics while preparing to serve as officers following graduation. Maintaining a GPA above the Honors Court standard under those circumstances is an achievement worthy of national recognition.
The four award winners represent the type of student-athletes Navy strives to develop—leaders who excel academically, compete at a high level on the basketball court, and prepare themselves for future service to the nation.
MSB Take
Championship programs are built on culture, and culture extends well beyond game day. Navy continues to prove it recruits and develops young men who are committed to excellence in every aspect of their lives.
While fans naturally focus on wins, conference standings, and postseason aspirations, accomplishments like these deserve just as much attention. The Midshipmen continue to represent the Naval Academy with distinction, reinforcing why Navy remains one of the nation’s premier service academy athletic programs.
Congratulations to Austin Benigni, Sam Krist, Cam Cole, and Aidan Kehoe on earning 2025-26 NABC Honors Court recognition. They have set an outstanding example for future Midshipmen and once again demonstrated what it means to succeed as a student-athlete at the United States Naval Academy.
Go Navy. Beat Army.
