Northwestern Opens in Top 10 of NAIA Poll

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Following their second consecutive trip to the NAIA Round of 16, the Northwestern men's basketball team is ranked No. 8 in the NAIA Preseason Coaches' Top 25 Poll.

The Raiders return three starters and all-conference performers from last year's NAIA tournament team in Kaleb Booth, Jalen Langsy, and the GPAC Freshman of the Year Jesse Van Kalsbeek. Northwestern had one of the top offenses in the country, leading the nation in three-point percentage (42.3%) and sitting fifth in assists per game (17.6) and points per game (89.5).

Northwestern has four teams represented in the poll on its schedule in No. 15 Ave Maria (Fla.), No. 19 Morningside, No. 24 Friends (Kan.), and RV Dordt.

Defending national champion College of Idaho is first in the poll, followed by Arizona Christian, Georgetown (Ky.), Langston (Okla.), and Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) in the top five.

The full results of the NAIA Coaches' Poll are linked at the top of the story.

GPAC IN THE TOP 25
No. 8 Northwestern Red Raiders
No. 19 Morningside Mustangs
RV Dordt Defenders

The Raiders open the 2025-26 campaign on Saturday at No. 24 Friends (Kan.).

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

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Players Mentioned

#4 Kaleb Booth: G; 6' 0"; Senior

#11 Jalen Langsy: G; 6' 1"; Sophomore

#42 Jesse Van Kalsbeek: F; 6' 6"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#4 Kaleb Booth
: 6' 0"; Senior
: G

#11 Jalen Langsy
: 6' 1"; Sophomore
: G

#42 Jesse Van Kalsbeek
: 6' 6"; Sophomore
: F

Players Mentioned

#4 Kaleb Booth

#11 Jalen Langsy

#42 Jesse Van Kalsbeek

Players Mentioned

#4 Kaleb Booth

#11 Jalen Langsy

#42 Jesse Van Kalsbeek