Cullowhee, N.C. – Western Carolina sophomore forward Abdulai Fanta Kabba was selected among an elite list of NCAA Division I student-athletes on Tuesday afternoon, named to the 2026 College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District Team.
The 2026 Academic All-District® men's basketball teams, selected by College Sports Communicators, recognize the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom. The CSC Academic All-America® program separately recognizes softball honorees in four divisions — NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, and NAIA. Academic All-District® honorees advance to the CSC Academic All-America® ballot.
Seven WCU men's basketball players dating back to 1980 have earned CSC Academic All-District plaudits, with Kabba giving the Catamounts their first honoree since Matt Halvorsen in 2020-21. He joins a list that includes Halvorsen (2020-21), Onno Steger (2019-20), Jake Robinson (2009-10), Myron Lewis (1989-90), Richard Rigers (1985-86), and two-time honoree, Greg Dennis (1980-81, 1981-82).
Nominees are submitted by the media relations or communications offices of each school.
Kabba holds a 3.625 cumulative grade point average as a Computer Information Systems major, collecting his first career honor. Kabba began his collegiate career at the University of Denver before joining the Catamounts ahead of the 2025-26 season.
Originally from Kenema, Sierra Leone, the seven-foot Kabba played in 28 games in his debut season at WCU, averaging 4.8 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. He recorded a season-high 14 points in a nonconference win over UVA-Lynchburg, while adding 10 to the docket against nationally-ranked Duke early in the season.
Kabba helped contribute to one of the best rebounding teams in the league as Western Carolina led the SoCon in offensive rebounding (13.81), rebounding margin (6.5), and offensive rebounding percentage (36.7%). The Catamounts were also ranked second in rebounding (38.87), defensive rebounding percentage (74.6%), and rebound defense (32.35).
Kabba averaged 2.45 offensive rebounds per game, the fourth-best mark in the SoCon, and was eighth with 71 total offensive rebounds. He finished with double-digit rebounds three times, with a season-high 11 rebounds against Voorhees. Kabba also placed ninth in the league with 27 blocks.
This season, Western Carolina has placed 17 student-athletes on the CSC Academic All-District team across five different sports – six from football, four from volleyball, six from women's soccer, and one apiece from women's and men's basketball. Later this spring, the all-district team for baseball, softball, golf, tennis and track and field will be announced.
Fans can follow WCU men's basketball on Facebook, Twitter (@CatamountMBB), Instagram, and CatamountSports.com.
WCU Academic All-District Team Honorees:
2025-26 – Abdulai Fanta Kabba
2020-21 – Matt Halvorsen
2019-20 – Onno Steger
2009-10 – Jake Robinson
1989-90 – Myron Lewis
1985-86 – Richard Rogers
1981-82 – Greg Dennis
1980-81 – Greg Dennis
