MARION, Ind. – Indiana Wesleyan men's basketball Caedmon Bontrager has been named to the Bevo Francis Top 50 Watch List, as announced by Small College Basketball and the National Awards Committee. This marks the first time since the 2021-22 season and the fifth time in the last 10 years that IWU has had a player earn a spot on the list.

The Top 100 Watch List consists of some of the top players from NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, NAIA, USCAA and NCCAA. The Clarence "Bevo" Francis Award is presented annually to the player who has had the finest overall season within Small College Basketball. Considerations will be season statistics and individual achievements, awards, personal character and team achievements. This is an incredibly prestigious award, as this award will only be given to one player within Small College Basketball per season.

Bontrager is averaging 20.8 points (18th in NAIA) at 56.8%, 9.7 rebounds (13^th in NAIA), 1.3 assists, and 1.2 blocks through 25 games so far this season.


WILDCAT HISTORY ON THE LIST

• 2015-16 – Top 100 – Jonny Marlin – SR.
• 2015-16 – Top 50 – Jonny Marlin – SR.
• 2015-16 – Top 25 – Jonny Marlin – SR.
• 2015-16 – Finalists– Jonny Marlin – SR.
• 2016-17 – Top 100 – Lane Mahurin – SR.
• 2017-18 – Top 100 – Kyle Mangas – FR.
• 2018-19 – Top 100 – Kyle Mangas – SO.
• 2018-19 – Top 50 – Kyle Mangas – SO.
• 2018-19 – Top 25 – Kyle Mangas – SO.
• 2019-2020 – Top 100 – Kyle Mangas – JR.
• 2019-2020 – Top 50 – Kyle Mangas – JR.
• 2019-2020 – Top 25 – Kyle Mangas – JR.
• 2019-2020 – Finalist - Kyle Mangas – JR.
• 2019-2020 – Winner – Kyle Mangas – JR.
• 2021-22 - Top 100 - Seth Maxwell - SR.
• 2021-22 - Top 50 - Seth Maxwell - SR.
• 2022-23 - Top 100 - Seth Maxwell - GR.
• 2024-25 - Top 100 - Caedmon Bontrager - R-SO.
• 2025-26 – Top 100 - Caedmon Bontrager - R-JR.
• 2025-26 – Top 50 - Caedmon Bontrager - R-JR.

For more information on the Bevo Francis Award and to see the full Top 100 Watch List, click HERE.




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