Senior star basketball player Keith Braxton has been named one of 30 finalists for the NCAA’s 2019-20 Senior CLASS Award. 

In order to be eligible for this award, one must be a senior and have notable accolades in four areas of excellence: community, classroom, character and competition.

The Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School (CLASS) Award focuses on the student-athlete as a whole and encourages the student to use his or her platform in athletics to make an impact as a leader in their communities.

Braxton is a finance and accounting double-major with a cumulative grade-point-average of 3.37. He was named the 2018-19 NEC Winter Scholar-Athlete last season and is the reigning NEC Player-of-the-Year. 

“It is an honor that my name is among other players who give their time and effort to be not only a better player, but person as well,” said Braxton.

Braxton’s accolades don’t just stop at the grade-point-average. He is a three-year captain who has led Saint Francis to a 12-8 start. He is currently averaging 16.4 points, 7.4 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game.

Braxton currently ranks in the top five in program history in points, rebounds, assists and steals. He is also on his way to become the first player since Maurice Stokes to reach 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds in SFU men’s basketball history.

Braxton was recently voted to the Northeast Conference’s All-Decade Team.

Away from the court, Braxton has taken part in various community service activities. He has volunteered at Ebensburg’s Potato Fest, the Special Olympics and Sports4Kids Day. 

In 2016 and 2017, Braxton visited the Pittsburgh Children’s Hospital to hand out beads as part of the Beads of Courage initiative. 

The CLASS Award candidates will soon be narrowed down to 20 finalists. The winners will be announced at the NCAA Final Four in April.