Greenville, SC – The NCCAA is pleased to recognize Liam Gerdts of Pensacola Christian College as the 2026 Pete Maravich Award recipient for Division II Men’s Basketball.  
 
Gerdts has developed an outstanding career at Pensacola Christian College, improving each season in his four years. As a senior, the forward averages a career high 17.0 points-per-game to rank second on the team. He is third on the team in rebounds-per-game and is the only player on the team to take over 300 shots and have a field goal percentage over 45%. He is an all-around player for the Eagles and has led his team to their best record in the last three seasons with a great senior year. In the first three years of his career Gerdts has earned a multitude of awards, including two First Team All-Regional and an NCCAA Second Team All-American.
 
Off the court, Gerdts uses basketball to impact his community for Christ. He has run a Christian service basketball club on Saturday’s each of his four seasons at Pensacola Christian where he helps the community develop their basketball skills while learning more about Christ. On campus, Gerdts is often described as a “influential committed Christian athlete.” He builds connections with more than just other athletes on campus and cares deeply about developing a positive culture focused on Christ. 
 
Gerdts is wrapping up his degree in youth ministry where he has achieved a 3.1 GPA. He plans to continue growing in wisdom as he focuses on developing the next generation to impact the world for Christ. 
 
“Liam is a culture changer in the locker room,” stated Pensacola Christian Head Coach Jason Bell. “He has the ability to influence others to do the right thing without being offensive. He is our best teammate and is successful in his Christian outreach because he presents himself as someone others want to be around.”
 
Other Finalists
Cameron Parker – Champion Christian College
DJ Middleton – Spurgeon College
 
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.