HAMMOND, La. – Southeastern Louisiana University men's basketball team student-athletes Garrett Shoemaker and CJ Booker were named to the Southland Conference All-Academic Team Wednesday morning, in an announcement by the conference office.
Shoemaker, a local product of Livingston, La., secured this academic honor after closing out his rookie season with the Lions. The forward gained quality experience this past season and maintained a 3.3 cumulative grade point average in Health Science. Shoemaker appeared in 24 games as a freshman, finished 44.1 percent from the field and recorded a season-high eight points against conference rival Nicholls.
Booker, an Arlington, Texas native, claimed the honor in his second season with Southeastern after finishing with a 3.4 grade point average. The redshirt-sophomore played in 30 games this season with 22 starts and ended with five games in double-figures. Booker shot 39.7 percent from behind the arc and 75.0 percent from the charity stripe. The guard posted a season-high 14 points with three assists versus Lamar.
To be eligible for all-academic distinction, an athlete must hold a minimum 3.25 cumulative grade point average through the semester prior to the sport's championship, completed at least one full academic year at the nominating school prior to the current season, and participated in at least 50 percent of the team's competitions during the most recently completed season. Student-Athlete of the Year nominees must have held at least a 3.5 GPA and have completed at least two years of athletic competition at the nominating school, including the current season.
2026 Southland Conference Men's Basketball All-Academic Team
Student-Athlete of the Year: Noah Pagotto, East Texas A&M, Jr., 3.96 GPA
Noah Pagotto, East Texas A&M, Jr., 3.96 GPA
London Fields, East Texas A&M, Jr., 3.54 GPA
Ryan Bartley, HCU, Gr., 4.00 GPA
Mamborou Mara, HCU, Gr., 3.80 GPA
Love Bettis, UIW, Gr., 3.35 GPA
Lewis Row, UIW, Gr., 4.00 GPA
Mihael Tomic, UIW, Fr., 3.65 GPA
Amani Drummond, UIW, Sr., 3.77 GPA
Esteban Mann, UIW, Jr., 3.66 GPA
Janko Bulajic, Lamar, Sr., 3.71 GPA
Larry Johnson, McNeese, So., 3. 57 GPA
Javon Garcia, McNeese, Gr., 3.80 GPA
Garwey Dual, McNeese, Jr., 3.42 GPA
Coleton Benson, UNO, Jr., 3.36 GPA
Irish Coquia, UNO, Jr., 3.31 GPA
Kedrick Osby, UNO, Jr., 3.55 GPA
Christian Winborne, Sr., Nicholls, Jr, 3.58 GPA
CJ Booker, SLU, R-So., 3.40 GPA
Garrett Shoemaker, SLU, Fr., 3.33 GPA
Nick Shogbonyo, TAMUCC, Sr., 3.67 GPA *
Mason Gibson, TAMUCC, Gr., 4.00 GPA
Leo Torbor, TAMUCC, Sr., 3.70 GPA
Sheldon Williams, TAMUCC, Sr., 3.60 GPA
Koree Cotton, UTRGV, Jr. 3.50 GPA
Filip Brankovic, UTRGV, Jr. 3.33 GPA
Marvin McGhee III, UTRGV, Gr. 3.40 GPA
Julien Gomez, UTRGV, Fr. 3.33 GPA
HARDWOOD CLUB/S CLUB
Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the basketball program are encouraged to join the Hardwood Club. Lion alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letterwinners. All membership fees and donations to Hardwood Club are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern basketball program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091 or visiting www.LionUp.com.
SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on Southeastern Basketball, follow @LionUpMBB and @DavidKieferSLU on Twitter, like /SLUathletics on Facebook and subscribe to the SLUathletics YouTube channel.
TICKETS
For ticket information, please contact the Southeastern Athletics Ticket Office at (985) 549-5466 or visit www.LionSports.net/tickets. Southeastern is implementing mobile ticketing as the primary source for securing tickets. All tickets will be available via e-mail in a PDF format for fans to download on their phone or print at home. Tickets can also be downloaded to Apple Wallet.
