TOWSON, Md.—University of Idaho senior Alyssa Charlston was voted a Capital One Academic All-American, the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) announced Thursday. 

“It is just a tremendous honor and very much deserved by Alyssa,” head coach Jon Newlee said. “She has been excellent in the classroom as well as the basketball floor ever since she got here. I think it is a tribute to her hard work in both areas. I think it is amazing and it couldn't have happened to a better person.”

Charlston was named to the 2013-14 Capital One Academic All-America Women's Basketball Division I Second Team. Charlston, a three-time Academic All-WAC selection and has been on the Dean's List on five occasions, earned Third Team honors as a sophomore in 2011-12.

“I think academics has been something that the coaches here have really instilled in me,” Charlston commented. “They have always made that a priority since they recruited me. Coach always does a really good job in bringing in girls he knows are going to take academics seriously so they can handle the competition on the court. Being able to manage both is really helpful and I think it will really help me in my future. It is great to be able to represent Idaho this way. I always have the administration, my coaches and parents to thank for helping me to this point.”

Of the 15 Division I women's basketball players honored on Thursday, Charlston is just one of seven to have a GPA above a 3.90. The Sammamish, Wash., native holds a 3.97 GPA, majoring in broadcasting and digital media.

Charlston's numbers on the court speak for herself. She is the all-time leader in games played, appearing in all 122 career games. She is sixth all-time in Idaho history and 63rd in the NCAA with 1,466 career points. Charlston has snagged 812 career rebounds (fourth) and blocked 117 shots (fourth). Her 555 made field goals are currently 45th in the nation and sixth in Vandal history. She is eighth on the all-time free throw list attempting 403 shots from the line and has converted 271 career attempts, ranking her 10th.  

This season Charlston leads the Vandals in minutes, averaging 30.5 per game. She is second on the team and eighth in the Western Athletic Conference in both scoring and rebounding with 14.1 points per game and 7.1 rebounds per game.

Charlston is the second player in program history to earn the national honor, becoming the only Idaho women's basketball player to repeat. She joins former Vandal, Liz Abel (Third Team, 1981) as the only other Idaho women's basketball player to earn the All-America honor.

To be eligible for Academic All-America consideration, a student-athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.30 on a scale of 4.00 and have reached sophomore athletic and academic standings at his/her current institution.

Academic All-America® Team Member of the Year:  Chiney Ogwumike, Stanford

 FIRST TEAM

SECOND TEAM

THIRD TEAM