Zeller named Academic All-America of the Year

Thursday, February 23, 2012

North Carolina's Tyler Zeller (44) shoots over Clemson's Tanner Smith during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012. North Carolina won 74-52. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)

Tags:

unc basketball, local/state

TOWSON, Md. (WTVD) -- Tyler Zeller is one of the lead candidates for ACC Player of the Year, but the UNC senior earned recognition for his work off the court. He was named the 2012 Capital One Academic All-America Division I Men's Basketball Teams.

Zeller is a business administration major and carries a 3.62 grade point average.

This is not the first time Zeller has been honored for his academic achievements. He made the first team in 2011 as well. He made history Thursday by being the first two-time Academic All-America first team selection in the Tar Heels' storied basketball history.

In addition, Zeller was the ACC's Basketball Scholar Athlete of the Year in 2011.

Duke junior Mason Plumlee joined Zeller on the First Team Academic All-America with a 3.44 GPA while double majoring in psychology and cultural anthropology.

Two of the N.C. State women have also been recognized. Junior Marissa Kastanek is a second team Academic All-America with a 4.0 in psychology. Her teammate sophomore Kody Burke is made the third team with a 3.95 in management.