Ottumwa, IA – Sophomore KJ LaMonte (Davenport, IA/New Mexico Highlands) of the Indian Hills Men's Basketball squad has been named a National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) DI Men's Basketball Second-Team All-American, announced by the national office Wednesday afternoon.
"KJ is a leader by example," stated head coach Cole Dewey. "I tell people all the time that he didn't have a bad practice all year, which is easier said than done. He has a mindset and a toughness to him that others rally around."
The 2025-26 Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC) DI Men's Basketball Player of the Year, LaMonte starred for the Warriors in his debut season at Indian Hills. The sophomore ranked third on the team with 11.7 points per game while shooting 50.7 percent from the floor and a team-high 84.9 percent from the free throw line, the best mark for the Warriors since the 2020-21 season.
LaMonte was a force on both ends of the court for the Warriors, tallying a league-high 1.5 steals per game to go along with 3.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists per contest.
LaMonte reached double-figures in the scoring column 21 times on the year, including a season-high 19 points twice. The guard led the Warriors with 14.8 points per game in ICCAC contests while shooting a remarkable 60.7 FG% / 60.0 3PT FG% / 91.7 FT% against conference foes.
For his efforts, LaMonte was twice named the ICCAC DI Men's Basketball Athlete of the Week.
In addition, fellow sophomores Taj Au-Duke (Toronto, Canada/Pepperdine) and Mason Costello (Waukee, IA/Waukee) joined LaMonte on the NJCAA All-American squad. The trio become the 38th, 39th, and 40th NJCAA All-Americans in program history for the Warriors. 2026 marks the first time in school history that the Warriors have earned three All-Americans in a single season. The Warriors have now earned multiple All-American honors in each of the last five seasons.
Read More: Au-Duke Named First-Team All-American
Read More: Costello Named Third-Team All-American
"Taj, KJ, and Mason all operate like All-Americans every day," added Dewey. "Awards like this don't just happen, they are earned daily through consistency, effort, and attitude. I'm so proud of these guys, along with the rest of the Warriors this year. Every one sacrificed so much for the greater good of the team, so it's awesome when they get rewarded like this."
The Warriors wrapped up the 2025-26 campaign with a 30-3 overall record, ranked No. 2 in the final national rankings, NJCAA Region 11 and NJCAA North Central District champions, and earned the team's 21st all-time trip to the national tournament, tied for fifth-most all-time.
NEW YEAR - WHAT TO KNOW
Fans can keep up the Indian Hills Basketball squad all year long through a number of ways:
- X (formerly Twitter): @IHCCAthletics | @IHCCBasketball
- Facebook: Indian Hills Athletics | Indian Hills Basketball
- Instagram: @IHCCAthletics | @IHCCBasketball
- Youtube: Indian Hills Athletics
- Website: www.indianhillsathletics.com
- Catch up with the history of Indian Hills Men's Basketball: Indian Hills Men's Basketball Record Book
- All home games are played at Hellyer Student Life Center on the Indian Hills - Ottumwa campus
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