Costantino Repeats as ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District

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

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University senior wing Corey Costantino (Ashland, OR/Ashland HS) has been named First Team ESPN The Magazine College Division Academic All-District VIII in men's basketball for the second year in a row. The Academic All-District Team was selected by members of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

A total of 11 players were named to the Academic All-District Team. There were five First Team selections, with six players chosen for the Second Team. Costantino and the other First Team honorees are eligible for the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Team, which will be released on Wednesday, Feb. 25.

Costantino is majoring in Chemistry (Biochemistry track). He has achieved a 3.91 cumulative grade point average during his studies at Willamette.

This season, he is averaging 9.8 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game. He is shooting 50.8% from the field (64 of 146) and has made 12 of 31 three-point shots (38.7%). During his career, he has seen action in 74 games, including 36 starts. He has scored 576 points, grabbed 182 rebounds and earned 156 assists.

In 2007-08, Costantino ranked first in the Northwest Conference in 3-point shooting at 50.0%, as he made 26 of 52 attempts. He owns a career 3-point shooting percentage of 40.6% (43 of 106).

Willamette is 9-8 on the season, including 5-5 in the Northwest Conference. WU is tied for fourth place in the NWC standings. The top four teams at the end of the regular season will qualify for the NWC Tournament. The Bearcats' next game is at Whitworth University on Friday, Feb. 6 at 8 p.m. (PST).

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 3.3 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.