February 26, 2024
BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Star Athletic Association (NSAA) announced their 2023-24 men’s basketball All-Conference teams and postseason awards Monday afternoon.
Bellevue (Neb.) won the North Star Athletic Association Men’s Basketball regular-season outright title with an 8-4 league record.
The Bruins will host No. 6 seed Dickinson State (N.D.) for the North Star Athletic Association Men’s Basketball Postseason Tournament’s championship game on Sunday afternoon. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. at Gordon Lozier Athletic Center in Bellevue, Neb., with the winner moving on to the NAIA Men’s Basketball National Tournament First and Second Rounds on March 15-16.
Darren Jones of Mayville State (N.D.) was chosen as the league’s Player-of-the-Year and Newcomer-of-the-Year awards. Ugo Ejiofor of Waldorf (Iowa) was named as the conference’s Defensive Player-of-the-Year. Brayden Pankonen of Dakota State (S.D.) was selected as the North Star’s Defensive Player-of-the-Year.
BU’s Lucas Gabriel was selected as the conference’s Coach-of-the-Year award.
The following athletes were selected by the conference coaches as All-Conference First and Second Teams. There is a list of Honorable Mention recipients, as well as a five-member NSAA All-Defense Team.
Below are the complete listings of the North Star Athletic Association Men’s Basketball All-Conference teams and postseason awards.
2023-24 North Star Athletic Association Men’s Basketball All-Conference Teams & Postseason Awards
First Team All-Conference
| Name |
School |
Class |
Ht. |
Pos. |
Hometown |
| Darren Jones |
Mayville State (N.D.) |
Junior |
6-8 |
Forward |
San Bernardino, Calif. |
| Khyle Washington % |
Waldorf (Iowa) |
Senior |
6-3 |
Guard |
Atlanta, Ga. |
| Jack Monis &!$ |
Viterbo (Wis.) |
Senior |
6-5 |
Forward |
Oconomowoc, Wis. |
| John Evans +#$ |
Dickinson State (N.D.) |
Junior |
6-4 |
Guard |
Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada |
| Thomas Gieske !$ |
Mayville State (N.D.) |
Grad. |
6-3 |
Guard |
Sartell, Minn. |
Second Team All-Conference
| Name |
School |
Class |
Ht. |
Pos. |
Hometown |
| Mison Coilton |
Dakota State (S.D.) |
Junior |
6-2 |
Forward |
Stockton, Calif. |
| Jerome Bynum |
Bellevue (Neb.) |
Senior |
6-0 |
Guard |
Chicago, Ill. |
| Ugo Ejiofor |
Waldorf (Iowa) |
Junior |
6-8 |
Center |
Dallas, Texas |
| Cleveland Bedgood |
Valley City State (N.D.) |
Senior |
6-3 |
Guard |
Miami, Fla. |
| Trey Stevens |
Dickinson State (N.D.) |
Junior |
6-2 |
Guard |
Sparks, Nev. |
$ - 2022-23 North Star Athletic Association Men’s Basketball All-Conference First Team
% - 2022-23 North Star Athletic Association Men’s Basketball All-Conference Second Team
! – 2021-22 North Star Athletic Association Men’s Basketball All-Conference First Team
# - 2021-22 North Star Athletic Association Men’s Basketball All-Conference Second Team
& - 2020-21 North Star Athletic Association Men’s Basketball All-Conference First Team
+ - 2020-21 North Star Athletic Association Men’s Basketball All-Conference Honorable Mention
NSAA Men’s Basketball Postseason Awards
Player of the Year: Darren Jones – Mayville State (N.D.)
Defensive Player of the Year: Ugo Ejiofor – Waldorf (Iowa)
Newcomer of the Year: Darren Jones – Mayville State (N.D.)
Freshman of the Year: Brayden Pankonen – Dakota State (S.D.)
Coach of the Year: Lucas Gabriel – Bellevue (Neb.)
NSAA Men’s Basketball Honorable Mention
Jamison Kramer – Mayville State (N.D.)
TJ Fritz – Bellevue (Neb.)
Nick Malovrh – Viterbo (Wis.)
Khalil Grayson – Waldorf (Iowa)
Kose Egbule – Dickinson State (N.D.)
NSAA Men’s Basketball All-Defense Team
Ugo Ejiofor – Waldorf (Iowa)
Kose Egbule – Dickinson State (N.D.)
Khyle Washington – Waldorf (Iowa)
Liam Thompson – Bellevue (Neb.)
Nick Malovrh – Viterbo (Wis.)
NSAA Men’s Basketball Champions of Character recipients
Bellevue (Neb.) – Makeem Loudermill
Dakota State (S.D.) – Taylor Edwards
Dickinson State (N.D.) – Tyce Dahlberg
Mayville State (N.D.) – Steele Senske
Valley City State (N.D.) – Hunter Lyman
Viterbo (Wis.) – Cole Crubel
Waldorf (Iowa) – Noah Miller