LSU forward Craig Victor II is the recipient of this year's Academic Momentum Award - a program by the Scholar Baller and the National Consortium of Academics and Sports (NCAS).

The non-sports award category is given to players who managed to balance their academic study with their performance on the court. Thus, the award recognizes student-athlete improvements on both.

Receiving the award, Victor addressed his gratitude, saying how humbled he was to get an award other than basketball. He also stressed that 'knowledge rules the world' and that his award would remove skepticism on athletes being lazy at school. The students who majors in sports administration further explained the importance of education and credited his grandmother for encouraging him to 'not just be mediocre' but to always strive in everything he does.

Executive director Kenneth Miles praised Victor's effort and passion to be one of the scholar-athlete that reflects great attitude. According to Miles, the LSU student demonstrates that quality and deserves the honor.

Reaching out for comments, Victor's coach, Johnny Jones, said that he's as excited as the teammates to hear the news. Jones appreciated his athlete's efforts in and out of the classroom.

The LSU Basketball also tweeted to congratulate the athlete.

ShreveportTimes published an article on LSU forward playing at no.8 Texas A&M, stating that Jones praised Victor as he's impacted the team in many ways. Not only he was able to score but he brought 'certain presence' to the team that was missing earlier on. Jones said of Victor as a good passer and a great interior defender.

The Academic Momentum Award has been rewarding student-athletes for their achievements at schools across the United States since five years ago. Supported by the NCAA, the Scholar Baller Program was first created by Dr. Ketih Harrison and is a distinctive approach to address challenge in balancing sport-academic participations.

Read more