The National Christian College Athletics Association (NCCAA) named Bob Jones University Bruins men's basketball senior, Shad Vander Hart, as the NCCAA DII South Region Player of the Year. The award is voted on by other coaches in the region. 

"Shad has been a relentless worker over his four-year career at BJU," Head Coach Tony Miller said. "I'm grateful for the coaches in our region recognizing not just Shad's skill but also his character. I'm proud of the way he has represented our program and school."

Vander Hart has been the leader of the Bruins men's basketball team all season long. His leadership is seen by players, fans, and even the opposition. This season, he has averaged 19.2 points and 11 rebounds per game. In the last eight games of the season, he ripped down at least 13 rebounds six times. In that same stretch, he has scored at least 20 points seven times with his career high coming against Baptist University of Florida when he scored 32 points.

This season has been filled with poster dunks by Vander Hart and even a game-winner against Trinity College of Jacksonville in early February. He and the Bruins secured the #1 overall seed in the South Region and will now look to win their third straight region title.

Shad Vander Hart, from Runnells, Iowa has been the leader of the Bruins, and he is now the leader of the NCCAA South Region. This marks the sixth time in the last nine seasons that a Bruins player has won this honor.

The Bob Jones University Bruins are part of the NCCAA featuring 13 varsity programs and over 200 student-athletes.