Van Kalsbeek Named National Player of the Year; Langsy Joins All-American First Team

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) announced their men's basketball All-America teams today, with Northwestern's Jesse Van Kalsbeek and Jalen Langsy both earning honors.

Van Kalsbeek was named the NAIA/NABC Player of the Year after a stellar season that saw him lead the NAIA in points per game (27.8). The sophomore from Sheldon, Iowa was second in the country in points per game (12.4) while totaling 27 double-doubles and a triple-double. Van Kalsbeek also set new single-season school records in field goals made (356) and free throws made (219), while moving into second all-time in total points (945).

"Jesse has improved so much throughout this year. He has transformed his game and continues to work to be the best he can be, head coach Colton Kooima commented. "He is incredibly selfless, all he wants to do is win, and his teammates love playing with him. Jesse is deserving of this honor, and he has great teammates that made this possible."

Langsy earned All-American honors for the first time, being named to the NAIA and NABC First Team. A sophomore from Shakopee, Minnesota, Langsy was second in the NAIA in points per game (27.3), second in free throw percentage (90.9%), and third in three-point percentage (51.0%). Langsy set the single-season school record for threes (152) and broke the single-game record with 12 treys on January 28 against Dordt. He posted four 40-point games and reached the 30-point threshold in 13 games.

"While Jalen's skill set is elite, his approach every day and the way he set the tone for our team was a joy to watch," Kooima said. "Jalen grew tremendously as a leader, and he is going to keep getting better. He has earned everything that comes his way."

Joining Van Kalsbeek's Player of the Year honor, Drew Stutts of Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) was named the NAIA/NABC Coach of the Year.

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Players Mentioned

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

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

Players Mentioned

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

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

Players Mentioned

#11 Jalen Langsy

#42 Jesse Van Kalsbeek

Players Mentioned

#11 Jalen Langsy

#42 Jesse Van Kalsbeek