California Irvine Athletics

IRVINE, Calif. - UC Irvine men's and women's basketball placed 10 student-athletes on the 2025-26 Big West Winter All-Academic Team the conference office announced Tuesday afternoon.
 
On the women's side, junior Shirel Nahum, who is a criminology, law & society major, earned her second career all-academic honor. Sophomore Daniela Falcon Hernandez (sociology), junior Summah Hanson (international studies), junior Haley Hernandez (business administration), senior Hunter Hernandez (business administration), sophomore Lauryn Madsen, and sophomore Reese Noa (social ecology) were all first-time Big West all-academic selections. Hunter Hernandez was the 2025-26 Big West Player of the Year and earned her program-record third career first-team all-conference nod in March.
 
The women's basketball program (26-7) claimed a share of the Big West regular-season title and earned an automatic bid to the WBIT. It was their third conference championship in four years, and fourth postseason appearance in the last five seasons. The Anteaters also recorded their fifth-straight 20-win campaign, setting school records in overall (26) and conference (17) victories.
 
The UC Irvine men had three Big West Winter All-Academic selections in senior Elijah Chol (sociology), junior Ben Egbo (business economics), and junior Derin Saran (political science). Saran was an All-Big West honorable mention pick.
 
Men's basketball (23-7) won their 10th Big West regular season championship and third in the last four years. The Anteaters also made their fourth-straight NIT appearance, hosting a first round game. They finished with 20+ wins for the fourth consecutive season.
 
To be eligible for the Big West All-Academic Team, student-athletes must maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA, complete one full year at their member institution prior to the season for which the award is being received (at least a sophomore academically) and compete in at least 50% of their team's contests.