TOWSON, Md. – Gardner-Webb University senior guard Aaron Linn has been named to the prestigious ESPN the Magazine Academic All-America First Team, becoming the first men's basketball player from GWU to earn that distinction.

Linn (Lenexa, Kan. / Shawnee Mission West HS / Johnson County CC) was joined on the first-team by West Virginia guard Alex Ruoff, North Dakota State's Brett Winkleman, Southern Illinois' Bryan Mullins and Evansville's Jason Holsinger.

Linn is only the second student-athlete in Gardner-Webb history to earn first-team University Division Academic All-America honors, joining former women's swimming standout Taylor Simpson (at-large, 2003-2004).

The Runnin' Bulldog point guard carries a perfect 4.0 cumulative grade point average in his chosen major of finance, and is on track to graduate in May, 2009.

On the court, Linn has been exemplary as well, averaging a team-high 14.9 points per game. He has chipped in with 3.0 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game as well – and has scored at least 10 points in 16 of his last 18 outings.

He had 15 points, seven assists and two steals in a key win over Presbyterian College Wednesday night.

For his career, Linn has averaged 13.6 points, 3.2 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.7 steals while shooting a solid 74 percent from the free throw line in two seasons. A durable player, Linn has started 59 games during his GWU career.

"This is a tremendous honor for Aaron, and is representative of what we strive for in our student-athletes," said GWU head coach Rick Scruggs. "His hard work on the court is appreciated, and has been outstanding, but his hard work and performance in the classroom is something we are most proud of.

"He's a senior, and we wish he could have four more years with us, but Aaron is destined to have a bright future after graduation."

Linn was one of only two players from District III (North Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, South Carolina) to be named to any of ESPN The Magazine's 2009 Academic All-America Teams. Duke's Greg Paulus earned third-team honors.

Gardner-Webb will close out its 2008-09 regular season on Saturday at home, as the program honors Linn and classmate Takayo Siddle on Senior Night vs. Charleston Southern. Opening tip is set for 7 pm ET in Paul Porter Arena. GWU is currently tied for fifth in the Big South standings, and can clinch the No. 5 seed in the upcoming Advance Auto Parts Big South Tournament with a win.