Greenville, SC: The NCCAA is pleased to recognize Jacob Drees of Cedarville University as the 2023 Pete Maravich Award recipient for Division I Men’s Basketball.
 
The senior from Hilliard, Ohio does not shy away from a leadership role for the Yellow Jackets. Drees averaged 13.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.4 blocks per game this season, helping Cedarville to an 18-11 record. He tallied 12 double-doubles on the year along with a triple-double of 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists in a win over University of Findlay. Drees led the team in rebounds, assists, and blocks, while finishing third in scoring.
 
Drees’ leadership extends off the court, helping with Bible study groups and mentoring his younger teammates. He has been on three mission trips to Guatemala and became more intentional with his faith after one of those trips, where he was able to grow closer to Christ. Drees excels in the classroom where he holds a 3.85 GPA in finance. He has earned several academic honors including Dean’s Honor Roll, All Conference Academic Team, and the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) Elite 25 Award for having the highest GPA among competitors in the G-MAC Tournament.
 
“Jacob has laid the foundation of what we as a team are looking for in our student-athletes,” said Head Coach Patrick Estepp. “We are proud and blessed to have him as one of our captains and leaders at Cedarville."

Award Description
The purpose of this award is to recognize the outstanding NCCAA student-athlete in Men’s Basketball and highlights excellence in competition, skill, academics, and Christian service during his career. “Pistol Pete” Maravich was known for his ball handling, shooting abilities, and creative passing. He was an NBA All-Star, named one of NBA’s 50 greatest players, and inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1987. He came to know Christ later in his life and spent the last years of his life pointing people to Christ.
 

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