Three members of the 2009-10 Emory University men’s basketball program have earned recognition on the 2009-10 Georgia Basketball Coaches Association (GABCA) All-State Awards Team.

Sophomore Austin Claunch headlines the trio as his selection as the Division III player of the year in the state.  The 5-foot-9 Claunch ranked among the top 10 University Athletic Association players in seven statistical categories and paced the Eagles in scoring (12.6 ppg), assists (6.0 apg), steals (2.0 spg), free throw percentage (.904) and minutes (36.0 mpg).  Emory’s 5-foot-9 point scored in double figures on 19 occasions and established a school season mark with 151 assists.

Senior Chad Hixon landed honorable mention status on the GABCA D-III All-State Team after starting 23 of 24 games and ranking third on the team in scoring (8.5 ppg) and first in rebounding (6.3 rpg). The 6-foot-3 forward led the club in rebounding in 13 games and turned in three contests of 10 or more boards, and concluded the campaign by picking off seven or more rebounds in nine games.  He contributed 10 double-figure scoring games and tied for second on the team with 25 steals.

Jason Zimmerman was tabbed as the GABCA Division III Coach of the Year after guiding the Eagles to an overall record of 15-10 and a 7-7 University Athletic Association mark.  Emory’s win total marked the program’s first winning season since 2004-05 while it seven wins in conference contests was the highest total since 2000-01. Zimmerman saw his team lead the UAA in scoring (76.2 ppg), three-point field goal percentage (.395, t-15^th nationally) and three-point field goals per game (8.3, 19^th nationally).

Zimmerman, along with Hixon and fellow seniors Daniel Curtin and Anthony Fernandez, will take part in the GABCA All-Star Game on Saturday, March 27, at Oglethorpe University.  The game will feature senior standouts from Georgia’s Division II, Division III, NAIA and junior college ranks.  Zimmerman will serve as a coach for one of the teams.  Action is slated to get underway at 7:30 p.m.