Jesse Van Kalsbeek named 2026 Bevo Francis Award winner

Northwestern Red Raiders star earns top small college basketball honor

Apr. 7, 2026 at 2:52am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball game broken down into overlapping planes of navy, crimson, and gold, conceptually representing the prestigious Bevo Francis Award.The Bevo Francis Award honors the top small college basketball player, recognizing Jesse Van Kalsbeek's exceptional sophomore season for the Northwestern Red Raiders.Sioux City Today

Jesse Van Kalsbeek, a sophomore at Northwestern College in Iowa, has been named the winner of the 2026 Bevo Francis Award, which honors the top men's basketball player in small colleges across NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, NAIA, and junior colleges.

Why it matters

The Bevo Francis Award is one of the most prestigious individual honors in small college basketball, recognizing exceptional talent and performance. Van Kalsbeek's award further establishes Northwestern as a powerhouse program and highlights the school's ability to develop elite-level players.

The details

Van Kalsbeek led the NAIA in scoring this past season, averaging 27.8 points per game, and also grabbed 12.4 rebounds per contest. He helped guide the Northwestern Red Raiders to the NAIA final site in Kansas City. Van Kalsbeek is already 19th on the all-time scoring list at Northwestern, and his teammate Jalen Langsy was also a finalist for the Bevo Francis Award.

  • Jesse Van Kalsbeek was named the 2026 Bevo Francis Award winner on April 7, 2026.

The players

Jesse Van Kalsbeek

A sophomore basketball player at Northwestern College in Iowa who was named the 2026 Bevo Francis Award winner, given to the top men's basketball player in small colleges.

Jalen Langsy

Van Kalsbeek's teammate at Northwestern College who was also a finalist for the 2026 Bevo Francis Award.

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What’s next

Van Kalsbeek will look to build on his impressive sophomore campaign as he enters his junior season at Northwestern College.

The takeaway

Jesse Van Kalsbeek's Bevo Francis Award win solidifies Northwestern College as a small college basketball powerhouse and highlights the program's ability to develop elite-level talent. The award recognizes Van Kalsbeek's exceptional individual performance and cements his status as one of the top players in small college basketball.