Costantino is Selected First Team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University men's basketball player Corey Costantino (Jr., Wing, Ashland, OR/Ashland HS) has been named First Team ESPN The Magazine College Division Academic All-District VIII, as selected by members of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

A total of 13 student-athletes received Academic All-District VIII honors, with five players on the First Team and eight on the Second Team. Costantino and the other four players named to the First Team are eligible for the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Team, which will be announced on Wednesday, Feb. 27.

Costantino, who is majoring in Chemistry (Biochemistry track), has achieved a 3.88 cumulative grade point average at Willamette. He has played in all 19 games for the Bearcats this season, including seven starts.

This year, he has averaged 23.3 minutes played, and has scored 8.9 points per game, while providing 2.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists per contest. He is ranked second in the Northwest Conference in 3-point shooting percentage at 50.0% (19 of 38), and trails only WU teammate Mike Smith (Sr., Wing, Talent, OR/Phoenix HS), who has converted 51.5%.

During the season, Costantino has connected on 70.8% of his free throws (34 of 48). He has scored in double figures nine times, including five times in Willamette's last seven games.

Costantino, who has seen action in all 44 games the past two years, plays on the wing for the Bearcats. He provides quality outside shooting and also drives to the basket. He is solid on defense, and has helped Willamette hold five opponents to less than 70 points this season. The Bearcats have limited 11 teams to less than 75 points.

The Bearcats are 8-11 overall, including 6-4 in the Northwest Conference. Willamette has won four of its last five games and is tied for third place in the NWC standings. The top three teams in the final regular season standings will qualify for the NWC Tournament.

CoSIDA District VIII includes colleges and universities in the western United States. Players nominated for the CoSIDA Academic All-District Team were starters or key reserves with cumulative grade point averages of 3.2 or higher (4.0 scale). Each player was at his current college or university for at least one academic year.

The College Division includes players in NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and the NAIA. The Bearcats compete in NCAA Division III and the Northwest Conference.

2007-08 ESPN The Magazine College Division Academic All-District VIII Team - Complete List