MARYVILLE, Missouri - Jaran Richman, a senior at Northwest Missouri State University, is the recipient of the Elite 90 award for the 2021 NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Championship.

Richman, majoring in physical education, currently carries a 4.00 GPA. Richman was presented with the award during the men's basketball Elite Eight in Evansville, Indiana. Richman is a native of Hamilton, Missouri.

Richman (Hamilton, Missouri/Penney HS/North Central Missouri College) has played in six games this season as Northwest has accumulated a nation-leading 25 victories. Richman has seen action in 23 career games and has scored 17 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. In his two seasons at Northwest, Richman and the Bearcats have posted a record of 56-3.

Richman becomes only the second Northwest Missouri State student-athlete to receive the Elite 90 award. Trevor Adams was the recipient of the Elite 90 award at the 2013 NCAA Division II Football Championship game.

The Elite 90, an award founded by the NCAA, recognizes the true essence of the student-athlete by honoring the individual who has reached the pinnacle of competition at the national championship level in his or her sport, while also achieving the highest academic standard among his or her peers. The Elite 90 is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average participating at the finals site for each of the NCAA's championships.

Eligible student-athletes are sophomores or above who have participated in their sport for at least two years with their school. All ties are broken by the number of credits completed.

For more information on the Elite 90 award winners, log on to https://www.ncaa.com/elite-90.