University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹ women¡¯s water polo player Bia Mantellato Dias and men¡¯s basketball player Justin McKoy were selected as UH¡¯s Big West Scholar-Athletes of the Year for their outstanding athletic and academic achievements.
Mantellato Dias, a two-time Big West Player of the Year, led the Rainbow Wahine to an all-time best 23-4 record, a No. 3 national ranking and UH¡¯s best finish in the NCAA National Collegiate Women¡¯s Water Polo Championship in 2024. She capped off a stellar sophomore season with 64 goals on the way to First-Team All-America honors and a nomination for the Cutino Award. Mantellato Dias earned Academic All-District, Academic All-Conference and UH¡¯s Exemplary Scholar-Athlete honors.
McKoy earned Second-Team All-Big West honors in 2023–24, finishing in the team¡¯s top five in defensive rebounds, scoring and free throw percentage while starting all 34 games. He also taught basketball both in Japan and Â鶹´«Ã½. McKoy was named to the Big West Commissioner¡¯s Honor Roll, a UH Exemplary Scholar-Athlete and was nominated to the National Association of Basketball Coaches Honors Court.
The pair were among 22 individuals across the league who were named 2023–24 Big West Scholar-Athletes of the Year. Two student-athletes from each institution¡ªone male and one female¡ªwere honored by their institutions and the conference.