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GRACELAND UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
Graceland’s Bowen Named NAIA Second Team All-American After Breakout Campaign
Graceland’s Bowen Named NAIA Second Team All-American After Breakout Campaign

Graceland’s Bowen Named NAIA Second Team All-American After Breakout Campaign

LAMONI, Iowa — Graceland University junior forward Cole Bowen was named to the 2024-25 NAIA Men's Basketball Second Team All-America, following a season in which he led the Yellowjackets to just their second-ever appearance in the NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship tournament.

Bowen, a redshirt junior from Colorado Springs, Colo., was also named the Heart of America Athletic Conference Player of the Year and earned First Team All-Conference honors. He started all 29 games he played, averaging 17.6 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game. He shot 55.4% from the field, 32.8% from beyond the arc, and 69.4% from the free-throw line.

A key contributor on both ends of the floor, Bowen finished the season with 509 total points and 267 rebounds. His +1.5 assist-to-turnover ratio (100 assists to 66 turnovers) and team-leading 49 steals further underscored his all-around impact. He also added 27 blocks while playing a team-high 954 minutes.

Graceland finished the season with a 24-8 overall record and 18-6 mark in conference play. The Yellowjackets secured an at-large bid to the national tournament, where they advanced to the second round before being eliminated. The team's 16-1 home record highlighted a dominant season at Closson Center.

Bowen's scoring efficiency and rebounding presence helped elevate Graceland's offensive metrics. The team averaged 76.7 points per game on 47.2% shooting and posted a net efficiency of +0.091. In conference play, those numbers improved to 77.9 points per game on 48.3% shooting.

This marks the program's first All-America honoree since its 2018 national championship run, signaling a return to prominence for Graceland men's basketball. With Bowen returning for his senior campaign, the Yellowjackets will aim to build on this year's momentum and contend for both conference and national hardware.

For more information on Graceland men's basketball and all of Graceland athletics, visit GUjackets.com.