Franciscan Men's Basketball earned multiple regional honors this week from the first 20+ win season of the NCAA Division III era.
On Monday, D3hoops.com released the 2025-26 All-Region Teams. First, Second, and Third Team All-Region were named. Players were nominated for these awards by the Sports Information Directors at the various schools.
The NABC (National Association of Basketball Coaches) has announced the 2025-26 NABC Division III All-District Teams and District Coaches of the Year on Tuesday afternoon. The All-District honors are voted on by NABC-member coaches across NCAA Division III.
Sawyer Butler (Jr. Beaver, Pa. / Beaver Area) was named First Team All-Region by D3hoops.com and First Team All-District by the NABC. He is the first Baron to earn All-Region or All-District accolades.
Butler led the Barons and the entire PAC in scoring at 21.5 ppg this season, to earn First Team All-PAC honors along with PAC Player of the Year recognition. He scored 20+ points in 15 of the 28 games, including a program record 49 points at Juniata. He is one of just seven players, in all of NCAA Division III to make 200+ free throws this season, and he shot 84.6% from the charity stripe. Butler brought it on both ends of the floor while playing 31.6 minutes per game. His 5.8 rebounds per game were second most on the team, and he led the Barons in steals and assists. His 2.5 steals per game led the PAC.
With this honor, he is now eligible for NABC and D3hoops.com All-American voting. First, Second, and Third Team All-America will be released later this month.
Head Coach
Joe Wallace was also named Region 7 Coach of the Year by D3hoops.com. He adds this honor to PAC Coach of the Year recognition from earlier this month. He is the first Franciscan Head Coach in any sport to be named Regional Coach of the Year.
NABC District 7 All-District Team
First Team
Sawyer Butler, Franciscan
Luke Chicone, John Carroll*
Elijah Farrington, Mount Union
Julian Heckman, Otterbein
Jalen Overway, Calvin
Trent Rozich, Pitt Greensburg
Second Team
Duane Davis, Muskingum
Nikola Dimitrijevic, Carnegie Mellon
Parker Hovey, Hope
Nathan Richardson, Olivet
Kellon Smith, Denison
Co-Coaches of the Year: Sam Hargraves, Olivet and Andy Winters, Otterbein
D3hoops.com All-Region 7 Team
Players of the Year: Luke Chicone, G, John Carroll and Jalen Overway, C, Calvin
Coach of the Year: Joe Wallace, Franciscan
Rookie of the Year: Luke Ellspermann, G, Wabash
| First team |
|
|
| Pos. |
Player |
School |
Yr. |
Hometown |
| G |
Luke Chicone |
John Carroll |
Sr. |
Mentor, Ohio |
| G |
Sawyer Butler |
Franciscan |
Jr. |
Beaver, Pa. |
| F |
Parker Hovey |
Hope |
Jr. |
Hart, Mich. |
| F |
Elijah Farrington |
Mount Union |
Jr. |
Massillon, Ohio |
| C |
Jalen Overway |
Calvin |
Sr. |
Holland, Mich. |
| Second team |
|
|
| G |
Nathan Richardson |
Olivet |
Jr. |
Flint, Mich. |
| G |
DJ Harrell |
Westminster (Pa.) |
Sr. |
Cleveland, Ohio |
| G/F |
Mike Christenson |
Grove City |
Sr. |
Oakton, Va. |
| F |
Trent Rozich |
Pitt-Greensburg |
Sr. |
Johnstown, Pa. |
| F |
Nikola Dimitrijevic |
Carnegie Mellon |
Sr. |
Belgrade, Serbia |
| Third team |
|
|
| G |
Julian Heckman |
Otterbein |
Sr. |
Reynoldsburg, Ohio |
| G |
Duane Davis |
Muskingum |
Sr. |
Groveport, Ohio |
| G |
Jayden Bradshaw |
Trine |
Sr. |
Blanchester, Ohio |
| G |
Sam Jacobs |
DePauw |
Sr. |
Fishers, Ind. |
| F |
Larry Morse |
Hilbert |
Jr. |
Endicott, N.Y. |
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