AUSTIN, Texas -- One year after being sidelined from a knee injury that kept him from competing during the entire 2023-24 academic year, University of St. Francis' Aitor Anabitarte has repeated in being named to the 2024-25 NAIA Men's Basketball Academic All-America First Team as selected by the College Sports Communicators.  Anabitarte also received first-team honors after the 2022-23 season.

Anabitarte, a perfect 4.00 student who is currently pursuing his master's degree in business administration, was one of only eleven players in the nation at the NAIA level to capture the prestigious honor and one of just five named to the first team.  Previously, he completed his bachelor's degree in the spring of 2024, double majoring in mathematics and computer science, while also maintaining a 4.00 gpa.

The award recognizes the accomplishments of student-athletes both on and off the court at the NAIA and NCAA I, II and III levels.

Anabitarte averaged team-high scoring and rebounding numbers for the Fighting Saints with his 16.2 points and 8.5 rebounds per contest.  Those were just two of 13 categories where he led the squad.

The graduate forward also topped the team's charts with his .898 free throw percentage, 501 total points, 26 blocked shots, 27 steals and 165 free throws made.

Named a first-team selection to the all-Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference squad last month, Anabitarte placed in the Top 10 in the league in a total of six areas highlighted by a No. 1 placement in free throws made and No. 2 recording in rebounds per game.  He also finished the season ranked third in field goal percentage (.576), fourth in free throw percentage and total points and eighth in blocked shots.

The CSC NAIA team averaged a 3.74 grade point average with the first team boasting a 3.91 mark.

Anabitarte was one of four players on the NAIA squad to author a 4.00 cumulative gpa.  He was also one of only 15 players among the 56 total that were recognized at all four collegiate levels to hold the perfect gpa with five being first-team selections.

St. Francis finished the season 25-6 overall and 16-4 in league play to tie for the conference regular-season championship.  The Saints also claimed the 2024-25 CCAC Tournament championship before suffering an 86-84 overtime defeat in the NAIA Opening Round to No. 20-ranked University of Pikeville (Ky.).

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