Six Raiders Named to NABC Honors Court

NWC garners NABC Team Academic Excellence Award

ORANGE CITY, Iowa – The National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) has announced the 2021-22 NABC Honors Court, which recognizes the academic achievements of student-athletes at National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) schools. Northwestern men's basketball student-athletes Grant DeMeulenaere, Carter Francis, Trent Hilbrands, Matt Onken, Noah Slagter, and Jesse Van Wyk received the honor. Northwestern was also a recipient of the NABC Team Academic Excellence Award for obtaining a team grade point average of 3.0 or higher for the 2021-22 season.

To be named to the NABC Honors Court, a student-athlete must meet the following criteria:

Academically a junior or senior varsity player.
Cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher at the conclusion of the 2021-22 school year.
Students must have matriculated at least one year at their current institution.
Member of an NCAA or NAIA institution with an NABC member coach.

DeMuelenaere (Altoona, Iowa), a graduate with a degree in Accounting, is a two-time NAIA Scholar-Athlete. He started all 31 games last season, averaging 8.3 points and 4.0 assists per game.

Francis (Hull, Iowa) is a senior Accounting major. He appeared in eight games last year for Northwestern.

A graduate with a degree in Elementary Education, Hilbrands (Remsen, Iowa) is a three-time NAIA All-American. During his Northwestern career, he averaged 16.3 points per game and ranks sixth in program history in total scoring with 2,132 career points.

A Marshall, Minn. native, Onken is a senior Finance major. In his second full season, he started all 31 games and posted a career-high 41 points against Mount Marty on February 12.

Slagter (Willmar, Minn.), a graduate with a degree in Finance, appeared in all 31 games last season, making 14 starts. He notched a career-high in points with 19 against Viterbo on November 12.

From Sully, Iowa, Van Wyk is an Ag-Business and Accounting graduate. He appeared in 28 games last season for the Red Raiders.

"Academic success is a core value of the NABC and a priority shared by men's basketball programs across the country," said NABC Executive Director Craig Robinson. "Excellence in the classroom requires hard work and dedication, and the NABC considers it a privilege to honor these deserving student-athletes and the coaches and staff who support them."

Don't forget to follow Northwestern College Athletics on Facebook @nwcraiders, Twitter @nwcraiders, and Instagram @nwcraiders! #RaidersStandOut

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Players Mentioned

#14 Grant DeMeulenaere: G; 6' 1"; Senior

#4 Trent Hilbrands: G; 6' 0"; Senior

#34 Matt Onken: F; 6' 5"; Redshirt Sophomore

#5 Noah Slagter: G; 6' 0"; Senior

#20 Jesse Van Wyk: F; 6' 4"; Senior

#12 Carter Francis: G; 6' 3"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#14 Grant DeMeulenaere
: 6' 1"; Senior
: G

#4 Trent Hilbrands
: 6' 0"; Senior
: G

#34 Matt Onken
: 6' 5"; Redshirt Sophomore
: F

#5 Noah Slagter
: 6' 0"; Senior
: G

#20 Jesse Van Wyk
: 6' 4"; Senior
: F

#12 Carter Francis
: 6' 3"; Junior
: G