Last Georgia team standing? Emory looks to win its first hoops national title

Sports

Transfer portal, NIL paydays not primary goal as Eagles play Mary Washington for NCAA Div. III title on Sunday.

Senior Tyson Thomas celebrates Emory’s 72-58 win over Christopher Newport in the semifinals of the NCAA D3 championships in Fort Wayne, Ind., on March 21, 2026. (Jimmy Naprstek/Kodiak Creative via Emory University Athletics)

By Stan Awtrey

April 2, 2026

The Emory basketball team is more concerned with rim protection than it is with roster protection as it prepares for the NCAA Division III championship game Sunday.

Under ordinary circumstances, a larger school from a higher division could be ready to shell out some NIL money to initiate a transfer and raid the roster. Schools similar in size to Emory often have their players poached by Division I schools with larger budgets.

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Stan Awtrey has been covering sports for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution since 1977. He currently writes about high school sports, Georgia State University athletics and golf.

Stan Awtrey has been covering sports for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution since 1977. He currently writes about high school sports, Georgia State University athletics and golf.