Lansing Sun

MSU Men's Tennis player Ozan Baris has been named to the College Sports Communicators (CSC) First Team Academic All-America. This recognition places him among only six other NCAA Division I men's tennis players nationwide who have achieved this honor. Baris, a sophomore from Okemos, Michigan, is the fourth player in Michigan State University's history to receive this award, with the last being Adam Hourani in 2003.

Baris's achievements extend beyond academics. He was named Big Ten Men's Tennis Player of the Year and reached the semifinals of the NCAA Singles Championships. Additionally, he earned Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) First Team All-American status as the nation's No. 5 player while maintaining a near-perfect 3.96 GPA.

Among the seven first-team All-Americans, Baris had both the highest GPA and best finish in the NCAA Singles Championships. He was also one of two underclassmen among 19 total CSC Academic-All Americans and shared the highest cumulative GPA.

Joining Baris on the CSC Academic All-District list are his teammates Graydon Lair and Max Sheldon. Lair, a senior from Tulsa, Oklahoma, maintained a 3.50 GPA while studying finance and posted strong performances on court with a 7-1 singles record and a team-best 16-7 doubles record.

Sheldon, a junior from Arlington Heights, Illinois, studying finance as well, achieved a 3.60 cumulative GPA. He recorded 15-6 in singles matches and became part of MSU's first-ever No. 1 ranked doubles team alongside Baris.

The Spartans Men's Tennis team received further recognition at the Spartan Academic Excellence Gala for having the highest cumulative team GPA among MSU men's varsity teams throughout the academic year.