Four members of the Vermont State University Johnson Men's Basketball program were honored by the North Atlantic Conference Wednesday afternoon for their efforts during the 2024-2025 season. Senior Raymond Baka, who was named to the All-NAC First Team, had a standout season that culminated in surpassing the 1000 career point milestone while averaging a double-double through the season with 19.9 PPG and 11.3 RPG, his third year in a row to do so. The Player of the Week recipient has notched 20+ single-game points 18 times this season with totals of 543 points, 310 rebounds, 60 assists, and 21 blocks. The team captain's presence on the court changes the trajectory of every game he plays, creating opportunities for the team to succeed. From a nationally ranked standpoint, Baka currently sits at #5 double-doubles (18), #8 total rebounds (310), #11 rebounds per game (11.4), and 20th in points (543).
First-year Matthew Carter has been named the NAC Rookie of the Year following an outstanding debut season with the Badgers. Carter has averaged 18.2 PPG, 4.2 RPG, and 2.1 APG, with season totals of 468 points, 110 rebounds, 60 assists, and 10 blocks. Carter's impact is felt far beyond his play on the court, establishing himself as a leader on the team in just his first year of collegiate play, with first-years and veteran players alike finding support from him as defining a face of the program, both present and future.
In his first year with the Badgers, junior Jason Baker had an immediate impact on the program and was recognized with second-team all conference honors. The defensive force has averaged 2 blocks per game, 7 defensive rebounds per game, 8.3 RPG, while still averaging 3.1 assists and 22 points per game on the offensive side. Perhaps his most impressive feat though was on the attack in the quarterfinals this year against Lyndon, where Carter broke the single-game points program record with an astonishing 55 points. Baker has a way of forcing the opponent to change course and play off their strategy. A presence that has been instrumental in putting the Badgers atop the division and pursing a conference championship title.
First Year Lukas Sward was recognized as a conference athlete who exemplifies integrity, fair play, and the ideals of sportsmanship on the court, with his selection to be named a member the All-NAC Sportsmanship team. Sward's selection to the Sportsmanship Team comes as no surprise, as he embodies what it means to be a Johnson Badger every day, representing and leading their teams by example both on and off the court.