Nestor Colmenares joined an elite group of Campbellsville University Tiger basketball players Tuesday, becoming only the third Tiger to be named a First-Team All-American by the NAIA. He is joined on the All-America list by senior point guard T.J. Bishop, who is a All-America Honorable Mention.

Colmenares, who is the first Tiger to be named to the nation's first team since Donta Wade in 2002, led Campbellsville in scoring, rebounding and blocks through the season. He finished the year with 15.6 points per game, 9.9 rebounds per game and 32 total blocks en route to being named the Mid-South Conference Player of the Year.

"He's the greatest competitor I've ever been around," said CU head coach Keith Adkins. "He loves to win, and he's pretty good at it."

The senior concluded his two-year career at Campbellsville this season with 1,094 career points, good for No. 24 on the Tigers' all-time scoring list, which is mainly compiled of three or four-year players. But it's not just scoring in the post that makes him special.

"There will be a lot of things that will be missed when he's gone," said Adkins. "His versatility is one of them. Not too many 6'8" guys can get a rebound, turn and dribble the full length of the floor and make a play."

And that play may not necessarily be a basket. Adkins said Colmenares is unselfish, sometimes to a fault, but he makes everyone around him play better and with that fiery Latin energy.

Colmenares has a cult following form the South American students on campus as many of them show up en mass to cheer on their compatriot.

"It's great," said Colmenares, "it makes me feel like I'm at home."

T.J. Bishop is NAIA All-America Honorable Mention

Bishop becomes the ninth player during the Adkins' coaching era to be recognized among the NAIA All-Americans to some degree. The honor is extra special for Bishop, 26, considering he spent the past two years away from the game.

He came to Campbellsville last season, but chose to redshirt due to late eligibility. After averaging 10.8 points per game (14 in conference play) and hitting 44 percent of his 3-point attempts, Bishop is thankful for the extra year.

"Redshirting really helped me," he said. "I've had to adjust to different coaches and communities. It gave me an opportunity to practice, but to also sit back and see exactly what the coach wanted. I saw the things he expected on the floor, and I've tried to carry that over to my play this season."

"He has been an absolute surprise for us this year," admitted Adkins.

After Bishop completed his time at Pasco Hernando (Fla.) Community College, alongside former Tiger All-American Zach Ingles, he played one year at Missouri Western State University. But after leaving there at the end of his junior year, he ended up going home, working and playing league ball on the side. That is until Ingles and another former CU All-American Zach Allender helped sell him on Campbellsville.

The 2009-10 season was a big turnaround for Campbellsville's program after going 10-19 in 2008-09, and Adkins says Bishop was a large part of the Tigers' success.

"I thought we had a good point guard, floor leader and ball handler," said Adkins. "But to be honest, I didn't expect him to shoot the ball (44 percent from 3, and 74 percent free throws) for as good a percentage as he has."

Adkins says Bishop was THE difference is many of the Tigers' games.

"He's saved leads for us and gotten us leads with his shooting," said Adkins.

"Without T.J. we wouldn't be where we are today."

Bishop and Colmenares would both like to see their playing careers extend beyond Campbellsville, possibly overseas.

Campbellsville's NAIA All-America History
First Team
Van Berry - 1997
Donta Wade - 2002
Nestor Colmenares - 2010

Second Team
Todd Armes - 1990
Van Berry - 1996
Zach Ingles - 2006
Zach Allender - 2007
Nestor Colmenares - 2008

Third Team
Marcus Williams - 2001

Honorable Mention
James Boulware - 1980
Carlos Wheeler - 2002
Travis Wright - 2004
Brandon Warner - 2004
Zach Allender - 2009
T.J. Bishop - 2010