SAN BRUNO, Calif. --- University of Portland senior center Kramer Knutson was named to the West Coast Conference All-Academic Team for the third consecutive season, the league announced on Thursday. Knutson, also a CoSIDA District 8 All-Academic First Team recipient this year, becomes the fourth Pilot in men’s basketball history to garner the award three times in a career. He joins former teammates Ethan Niedermeyer (2008-10) and Robin Smeulders (2008-10), as well as Ben Sullivan (2005-07).  

“The West Coast Conference is very proud to honor and recognize these exceptional student-athletes,” said WCC Commissioner Jamie Zaninovich. “Their strong commitment to academic success is evident as, once again this year, we recognize repeat honorees, including several three-time recipients.”

Through the fall semester, Knutson has posted a 3.66 cumulative grade-point average and is scheduled to graduate this May with a degree in philosophy. He concluded his career on The Bluff by starting more games (118) than any other Pilot player in history and is also fourth in Portland history in blocked shots (80), fifth in field goal percentage (.548) and sixth in games played (122).

The Mesa, Ariz. native finished the 2010-11 season second in the WCC with 48 blocked shots, also good for second in UP single-season history. He was second on the Pilots’ roster in rebounding (5.1) and averaged 6.2 points per game.

Knutson’s third WCC All-Academic award is the tenth received by a Pilot player during head coach Eric Reveno’s five-year tenure.

2011 Men's Basketball All-Academic Team

 Troy Alexander, SCU

Gus Clardy, PEP *

Taylor Darby, PEP*

Matthew Dellavedova, SMC

Matt Dorr, USD*

Devin Ginty, USD*

Kramer Knutson, POR*

Corbin Moore, PEP*

Kelly Olynyk, GON

Michael Santos, SCU*

Marc Trasolini, SCU*

 

Honorable Mention: Mike Hart, GON

* 2010 Winter All-Academic selection

 

UP Men’s Basketball WCC All-Academic History
Curt Ranta: 1991-92, 92-93

Kasey Flicker: 1994-95, 95-96

Jihan Bowes-Little: 1997-98

Dustin Geddis: 2003-04

Karl Aaker: 2003-04, 04-05

Andreas Gahlmann: 2003-04, 04-05

Ben Sullivan: 2004-05, 05-06, 06-07

Ethan Niedermeyer: 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10

Robin Smeulders: 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10
Kramer Knutson: 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11