BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Sophomore forward
Julen Iturbe is one of 11 student-athletes named to the Patriot League Men's Basketball Academic All-League Team for the 2025-26 season. Iturbe, a marketing major with a 3.38 grade-point average, has started in all 31 games for American and averages 10.4 points per contest.
Iturbe scored a career-high 26 points in AU's win at Army in January, and has reached double figures in scoring in 17 games this season. The Kogod School of Business student averages 5.0 rebounds per game lead the Eagles, and he has posted two double-doubles this year.
Ten of the 11 Academic All-Patriot League selections received academic accolades for the first time, including Iturbe. Bucknell senior guard/forward Achile Spadone (psychology, 3.92 GPA) received recognition for the first time, joining senior Scholar-Athlete of the Year Austin Benigni (Navy) as the only seniors named to the academic squad.
BU's Michael McNair highlights a group of five juniors, which includes Colgate forward Sam Wright (economics, 3.39 GPA), Lafayette guard Mark Butler (psychology, 3.22 GPA) and Loyola Maryland guards Jordan Stiemke (biology, 3.597 GPA) and Jacob Theodosiou (leadership & management consulting, 3.917 GPA).
Four sophomores claimed academic honors, as Iturbe was joined by Lehigh's Hank Alvey (architecture, 3.65 GPA), Holy Cross guard/forward Gabe Warren (economics, 3.42 GPA) and Lehigh forward Edouard Benoit (economics, 3.71 GPA).
2025-26 Patriot League Men's Basketball Scholar-Athlete of the Year – Austin Benigni, Navy, Sr., G (computer science, 3.42 GPA)
2025-26 Patriot League Men's Basketball Academic All-League Team*
Julen Iturbe, American, So., F
Michael McNair, Boston University, Jr., G
Achile Spadone, Bucknell, Sr., G/F
Sam Wright, Colgate, Jr., F
Gabe Warren, Holy Cross, So., G/F
Mark Butler, Lafayette, Jr., G
Hank Alvey, Lehigh, So., F/C
Edouard Benoit, Lehigh, So., F
Jordan Stiemke, Loyola Maryland, Jr., G
Jacob Theodosiou, Loyola Maryland, Jr., G
Austin Benigni, Navy, Sr., G
*Additional member selected to Academic All-Patriot League Team due to a tie in the voting
For the latest on American University Men's Basketball, stay tuned to AUEagles.com and follow the team on Instagram (@au_mbasketball), X (@AU_MBasketball), and Facebook (/AU.MBasketball).
