Nijal Pearson becomes Texas State Basketball's first All-American in 41 years

Nijal Pearson becomes Texas State Basketball's first All-American in 41 years after being named to the Lou Henson All-American Team.

This honor comes after he was selected the 2020 Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year, an All-Sun Belt First Team Selection, and leading the Conference in points per game.

The program's all-time leading scorer had a career-high 601 points this season, making him the only Bobcat ever to record three consecutive 500-point seasons and the fifth to join the 600-point season club.

Pearson is one of the winningest players ever to grace Texas State. In the last four years, he had a significant role in three 20-plus win seasons. A feat that has not been accomplished since the NAIA National Championship team in 1959-60. 

The senior guard is joined alongside Little Rock's sophomore Markquis Nowell as the only two Sun Belt players to make the list of 40 Division I players. 

In the wake of Covid19, the NCAA said they plan to preserve an additional year of eligibility for athletes whose season's were affected by the virus. Despite this, Pearson announced via Twitter he doesn't plan on playing another season. He will finish his career with Bobcats ranked third in steals, sixth in assist, and ninth in points per game and rebounds.