DURHAM, N.C. – North Carolina Central University men's basketball senior Marius McAllister has been named the NCCU Student-Athlete of the Month for December 2017 in recognition of his outstanding performance on the court and in the classroom.
 
McAllister, who had only played 27 minutes in the Eagles first 13 games, jumped into the starting lineup after the holiday winter break and had a breakout performance against St. Andrews University on Dec. 30.
 
The Durham, North Carolina, product took advantage of that start in his hometown by producing career-high totals of 10 rebounds and eight assists. McAllister played 39 minutes and added four points in helping the Eagles to the 75-55 victory over the Knights.
 
NCCU won its next four games – all starts for McAllister – as the Eagles produced a season-best six-game win streak to move over .500 on the season.
 
McAllister, who joined the maroon and gray in 2014-15 as a walk-on, was elected team captain this season. He is a letter winner for MEAC regular season championship teams in 2015 and 2017 and MEAC Tournament champions in 2017.
 
The business administration major holds a 3.33 cumulative grade point average (GPA) midway through his senior season. McAllister is a MEAC Commissioner's All-Academic Team honoree who participates in the NCCU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and mentors at his old high school Hillside. He received the Chekeria Reid Sportsmanship Award and Eagle Excellence Academic Award for men's basketball in 2017.
 
McAllister plans to open gyms and sports venues that inspire kids to be healthy and stay active along with sharpening their athletic skills and keeping their minds occupied and out of trouble once he graduates from NCCU. His main goal is to make his mother proud and buy her a big house one day.
 
For a complete list of award winners, visit NCCUEaglePride.com.