ELMHURST, Ill. – South Dakota State's Ellie Thompson added another honor to her list of accolades by being named to the Academic All-Summit League Women's Basketball Team, released Wednesday.
The award, voted on by the league's sports information directors and faculty athletic representatives, recognizes student-athletes for their accomplishments on and off the court.
To be eligible for The Summit League Academic All-League team, a student-athlete must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.30 (on a 4.0 scale), completed at least one full academic year at the current institution and participated in 50 percent of their team's competitions.
The Chaska, Minn., native, was one of five student-athletes selected for the elite honor, and was joined by South Dakota's Allison Arens, Omaha's Mikaela Shaw, IUPUI's Jenna Gunn and Western Illinois' Emily Clemens.
Thompson, who posted a 3.837 cumulative GPA as an advertising/graphic design major, finished the season third in scoring (13.5) and second in rebounding (7.0) for the Jackrabbits. She shot a team-leading 50.5 percent from the field and enters next season needing 11 points for 1,000 career points.
The second-team All-Summit League selection scored in double digits in 23 of 32 games, had five 20-plus point games and a team-best five double-doubles.
The forward helped South Dakota State to its 11th consecutive postseason appearance and fourth berth in the Women's NIT in March. SDSU finished the 2016-17 season 23-9 overall.
Thompson joins teammate Macy Miller (2016), former teammate Megan Waytashek (2015, 2014 & 2013) and Ashley Eide (2013) as Academic All-Summit League honorees.
