GORHAM, Maine  –  Junior Thomas Whelan (Bronx, NY/Fordham Prep) and sophomore Brady Saunders (Brewer, Maine) of the University of Southern Maine Huskies' men's basketball team have earned College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honors. 
 
Both Husky student-athletes are receiving Academic All-District recognition after distinguishing themselves athletically and academically as student-athletes at the University of Southern Maine. To be eligible for the accolade, student-athletes must be a starter or an important reserve with at least a 3.50 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.0 scale), must have participated in at least 90 percent of the team's games, and must be at least a sophomore academically.  Graduate students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher as both an undergrad and graduate student-athlete. 
 
Playing and starting in 23 games in his sophomore campaign, Saunders averaged 14.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 0.9 steals per game while shooting 48.8 percent (117-for-240) from the field, and 42.9 percent (51-for-119) from three-point range. Setting career-highs in points and assists during the season, Saunders scored 39 points in a 100-96 win over UMaine Presque Isle, shooting 14-for-16 from the field, and a perfect 7-for-7 from three-point range. Saunders established a career-high in assists with six in a 91-72 win over Plymouth State in Little East Conference action. In 49 career-games played, Saunders has 617 points, 156 rebounds, 120 assists, 44 steals and 17 blocked shots to average 12.6 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game with a career 47.8 percent shooting percentage.  A William B. Wise Scholar-Athlete, Saunders is working towards his degree in Business Management.
 
A two-time second team All-Little East Conference and MMBCWA All-State selection, Whelan averaged 22.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.3 steals per game during the 2024-2025 season.  Recording his 1000^th career point as a junior, Whelan was the Huskies' leading scorer shooting an outstanding  53.8 percent (206-for-383) from the field, including a 33.8 percent mark from three-point territory. He scored in double-digits in in 24 of 25 games played, and had 16 games with 20 or more points, and four games with at least 30 points, including a season and career-high 39 points at UMass Dartmouth (January 16, 2205). In 70 career games, Whelan has totaled 1142 points, 333 rebounds, 166 assists and 88 steals and is averaging 16.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.25 steals per game.  He has a career shooting percentage of 52.6 (428-for-814), and has knocked down 58 career threes. A two-time William B. Wise Scholar Athlete, Whelan is pursuing a degree in Exercise Science.
 
Designated Academic All-District student-athletes are eligible for selection to the Academic All-America program. College Sports Communicators began the distinguished Academic All-America® program in 1952, and since then, has honored more than 38,000 deserving student-athletes from numerous sports across all divisions with these elite Academic All-America® scholar-athlete honors.  Currently, CSC sponsors Academic All-America® programs for men's soccer, women's soccer, football, volleyball, men's basketball, women's basketball, men's swimming & diving, women's swimming & diving, men's tennis, women's tennis, baseball, softball and men's and women's track and field/cross country. Many other sports are eligible through the At-Large program, including USM sponsored sports field hockey, golf, ice hockey, and wrestling.
 
-cac-