Five members of Waubonsee Community College's men's basketball program were recognized for their outstanding play this season by the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference (ISCC) and the NJCAA Region IV. Headlining the Chiefs' honorees was freshman Joey Niesman who was named to both the ISCC First Team and All-Region First Team. Freshman center Brice Langford was chosen All-ISCC Second Team and All-Region Second Team, while teammates Traevon Brown, Anthony Thompson and Cooper Larsen were all selected All-ISCC Honorable Mention,
Niesman, an Oswego High School graduate, led Waubonsee in scoring with a 17.2 points-per-game average. The 6'2" guard scored in double figures in 25 of 26 games he played, including 24 straight to close out the season. Niesman booked a season-high 30 points twice, netting that total versus Aurora University's Junior Varsity in mid-November and again in mid-February against Prairie State College. He did all that while also often guarding the opposing team's leading scorer, registering a team-leading 53 steals along the way. Niesman also averaged 2.8 assists and 5.3 rebounds per game, shot 46 percent from the field overall and nailed 37 three-point baskets on the season. In addition, he was named to the Region IV All-Tournament team.
Langford, a product of Perry Meridian High School in Indianapolis, Indiana, averaged 10.2 points and 8.6 rebounds per contest. The Chiefs' 6'10" big man also blocked 58 shots, the 10th most among all NJCAA Division II players, and shot 51.5 percent from the floor overall. Langford snagged 224 rebounds, including 97 on the offensive end of the floor to rank 17th nationally in that category. He hauled down a season-high 20 boards the third week of January against Prairie State College, and posted a triple-double in a win over Aurora University's Junior Varsity in late January by scoring 24 points, corralling 14 rebounds and blocking a Chiefs' record 10 shots.
A graduate of Aurora West High School, Brown averaged 13.8 points-per-game, reaching double figures in points 21 times in 27 games played. The 6'0" shooting guard led the Chiefs with 48 three-pointers and in assists with 92, an average of 3.5 per contest. Brown dished out a season-high nine assists in the Chiefs' regular season finale against Oakton Community College. The sophomore was second on the team with 51 steals and shot 75.7 percent from the foul line for the season.
Thompson averaged 10.5 points a game and 2.8 assists per contest while sharing point guard duties throughout the season. The 6'0" sophomore tallied a season-high 29 points in a game against Morton College in late January. A Bolingbrook native, Thompson shot 73.5 percent from the foul line and 46.5 percent overall from the floor. He was also named to the Region IV All-Tournament team.
A graduate of Indian Creek High School, Larsen gave the Chiefs' a fifth scoring option during the season. The 6'5" forward averaged 9.9 points-per-game and hauled down 5.3 rebounds per contest. Larsen made 50.9 percent of his shot from the floor overall and connected on 75.3 percent of his foul shots. He was selected to the Region IV All-Tournament team as well, giving the Chiefs a trio of players specifically recognized for their post-season play.
Coach Lance Robinson's Chiefs finished the season with a 20-8 record overall and tied for second in the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference standings, overcoming a five-week disruption in their season due to Covid-19 concerns. Waubonsee reached the Region IV District 3 title game, losing a nail-biting 74-73 battle to top-ranked and eventual undefeated (33-0) National Champion South Suburban College, the only close contest the Bulldogs had all season. Among all NJCAA Division II teams the Chiefs finished in the top-30 in four statistical categories, including ranking 18th in points-per-game (87.9) and 20th in steals (9.9) per contest.
Joey Niesman Brice Langford Traevon Brown Anthony Thompson Cooper Larsen