For Immediate Release
Sunday, February 26, 2017
NSIC Media Relations
NSIC Elite 18 Award
 
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – DJ Pollard of Northern State University was named the 2016-17 NSIC Elite 18 Award winner for men’s basketball.  Pollard was presented the award during the pregame of the NSIC/Sanford Health Men's Basketball quarterfinal game on Sunday night at the Sanford Pentagon.  Pollard becomes the second Wolf to earn the Elite 18 Award this season as he joins Sasha Hovind who earned the award at the NSIC Indoor Track & Field Championships earlier this weekend. 

Pollard is a junior majoring in biology and holds a 3.96 grade point average.  The St. Louis Park, Minnesota native started all 29 games for the Wolves this season, averaging 13.7 points per game, 6.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists.  He also led the Wolves in steals (25) and minutes played (34.4) this season. 

As part of the NSIC 25th Anniversary celebration, the NSIC Elite 18 Award was instituted to recognize the true essence of the student-athlete by honoring the individual who has reached the pinnacle of competition at the NSIC Championship level in his or her sport, while also achieving the highest academic standard among his or her peers. The NSIC Elite 18 award is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average participating at the finals site for each of the NSIC’s 18 Championships.