Seth Gearhart

Classroom

Gearhart has been named to the Conference USA Commissioner’s Honor Roll each of his three seasons and was also named to the league’s All-Academic Team in 2013. Following his junior season, he garnered NABC Honors Court accolades and helped the squad to both the NABC Team Academic Excellence Award and the C-USA Sport Academic Award for boasting the league’s highest grade-point average as a team. He also has been named a Rice Honor Athlete. Gearhart is set to graduate in May with a degree in economics and currently holds a 3.33 grade-point average.

Character

Gearhart’s commitment to his team was tested in the 2012-13 season when he suffered a foot injury late in the Owls’ win over Houston, causing him to miss the final month of the campaign. The sophomore starter worked hard in his rehab to be cleared to play for the conference tournament to help the team in any way possible. Gearhart took on the role of vocal leader this past off-season as the program welcomed a new head coach in March. As one of the team’s two seniors, Gearhart welcomed seven newcomers to the program and eased the transition to a new era.

Community

In addition to his work in the classroom and on the court, Gearhart has been involved with Rice’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee since he arrived on campus and has generously volunteered his time in the Houston community. His service activities include serving at a local soup kitchen, visiting elementary schools and reading to the students, helping host youth basketball clinics and working with the Houston Food Bank. He also completed Rice Athletics’ leadership development program as a freshman in 2011-12.

Competition

Gearhart has started 48 of his 76 games played in three seasons with the Owls. He has shot 37.7 percent from the field, 33.3 percent from downtown and 76.1 percent from the foul line in his career. The forward boasts an 84 to 64 assist-to-turnover ratio in three seasons with 46 steals and 27 blocks as a key post defender for Rice. As a junior in 2013-14, he ranked second on the team in rebounding, steals and blocks. He was named to the Cable Car Classic All-Tournament Team for his 35 points and eight three-pointers at the two-game tournament. On the season he tallied 6.8 points per game, started 28 games and was one of four Owls to play in all 30 contests. Gearhart posted six double-figure scoring games and led the Owls in rebounding in two games and in assists twice, as well. He swatted a career-high three blocks in three games. Though his sophomore campaign was cut short due to injury, he started all 20 games played and tallied 7 points per game on 38.2 percent field-goal shooting with a 33.3 percent mark from downtown. The Oregon native led the Owls in free throw accuracy with an 86.5 percent mark and added 3.0 rebounds per game.