LOUISVILLE, Ky.--The National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) announced today the 2016 NABC Coaches' Division II All-America team, and Bellarmine's Rusty Troutman was one of 16 players to earn the distinction. Selected and voted on by member coaches of the NABC, these student-athletes represent the finest basketball players across America. 
 
A unanimous choice for first team All-Great Lakes Valley Conference, Troutman led the Knights with an average of 18.2 points per game while shooting better than 56 percent from the field.  A solid shooter from all over the court, the 6-5 junior made 61 of his 130 3-point field goal attempts and was an 80 percent free throw shooter. Troutman also averaged 4.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists a game.
 
Troutman is a player who seemed to rise to the occasion. The Knights defeated two of the eight teams that advanced to the Elite 8 this year (Saginaw Valley and Lincoln Memorial), and in those games, Troutman averaged 31.5 points, six rebounds and two steals.
 
"I would like to thank my coaches and teammates for helping make this incredible honor possible," said Troutman. "To follow in the footsteps of players like Jake Thelen, Jeremy Kendle and Braydon Hobbs is something I am very proud of."  
 
"I am extremely proud of Rusty," said Bellarmine Coach Scott Davenport. "He represents everything that is great about college athletics. His work ethic as a student and a player is phenomenal; he is a leader, great teammate, and an ambassador for Bellarmine University and the entire Louisville basketball community. He has overcome a variety of injuries and never let anything stand in his way. I am proud to say I am his coach."
 
Troutman becomes the sixth Bellarmine player to earn All America status from the NABC.  Other Bellarmine NABC All American include: Jake Thelen (2015), Braydon Hobbs (2012—Player of the Year), Jeremy Kendle (2011 and 2012), Tom Schurfranz (1992) and Floyd Smith (1977).
 
 
2016 NABC COACHES' DIVISION II ALL-AMERICA TEAM
 
Andy Avgi, Western Oregon, 6-6, Senior, Forward, Woodburn, Ore.
 
Yunio Barrueta, Barry, 6-5, Senior, Guard/Forward, Miami, Fla.
 
Seger Bonifant, West Liberty, 6-7, Senior, Forward, Berlin, Ohio
 
David Chavlovich, West Texas A&M, 5-11, Sophomore, Guard, Arlington, Texas
 
Dan Jansen, Augustana, 6-9, Senior, Forward, Orange City, Iowa
 
Tyler McFarland, Bentley, 6-5, Senior, Forward, Rockport, Me.
 
Brandon Norfleet, IUP, 6-5 Senior, Guard, Virginia Beach, Va.
 
Keenan Palmore, Lenoir-Rhyne, 6-2, Senior, Guard, Stone Mountain, Ga.
 
Rusty Troutman, Bellarmine, 6-5, Junior, Guard, Mt. Washington, Ky.
 
Max Strus, Lewis, 6-6, Sophomore, Guard, Hickory Hills, Ill.
 
Casey Schilling, Augustana, 6-6, Senior, Forward, Ellsworth, Minn.
 
Devin Schmidt, Delta State, 6-4, Junior, Guard, Sevierville, Tenn.
 
Gerel Simmons, Lincoln Memorial, 6-2, Senior, Guard, Accokeek, Md.
 
Michael Smith, California Baptist, 6-4, Junior, Guard, South San Francisco, Calif.
 
Ryan Stephan, Colorado Mesa, 6-10, Senior, Center, Lakewood, Colo.
 
Desmond Williams, Southern Connecticut, 6-5, Senior, Guard, Torrington, Conn.
 
                                                               
About the National Association of Basketball Coaches
Located in Kansas City, MO, the NABC was founded in 1927 by Forrest "Phog" Allen, the legendary basketball coach at the University of Kansas.  Allen, a student of James Naismith, the inventor of basketball, organized coaches into this collective group to serve as Guardians of the Game.  The NABC currently has nearly 5,000 members consisting primarily of university and college men's basketball coaches.  All members of the NABC are expected to uphold the core values of being a Guardian of the Game by bringing attention to the positive aspects of the sport of basketball and the role coaches play in the academic and athletic lives of today's student-athletes.  The four core values of being a Guardian of the Game are advocacy, leadership, service and education.  Additional information about the NABC, its programs and membership, can be found at www.nabc.org.