Ottumwa, IA – Sophomore Mason Costello (Waukee, IA/Waukee) of the Indian Hills Men's Basketball squad has been named a National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) DI Men's Basketball Third-Team All-American, announced by the national office Wednesday afternoon.
"It's great to see two-year guys like Mason get rewarded for their loyalty and efforts," stated head coach Cole Dewey. "Mason could've left last year for multiple different DI opportunities, but chose to come back and continue to work on his game and make another push at a championship. I couldn't be more proud of how he's carried himself on and off the floor, and been a role model to many young kids in the Ottumwa community."
Costello capped a remarkable two-year career for the Warriors with a strong sophomore campaign. Costello, who was also named a NJCAA All-Region 11 First-Team honoree, produced career-high totals in nearly every major statistical category.
On the year, Costello averaged 9.8 points per game while knocking down 64 three-point shots. The sophomore finished his two-year stint with the Warriors with 119 career three-point shots, good enough for 10th all-time in school history.
Costello reached double-figures in the scoring column 16 times on the year, including three times with at least 20 points. The guard produced a season-high 27 points against Lake Region State College (ND) on December 5.
For his efforts, Costello was named ICCAC DI Men's Basketball Athlete of the Week on March 3, his second-career weekly honor.
In addition, fellow sophomores Taj Au-Duke (Toronto, Canada/Pepperdine) and KJ LaMonte (Davenport, IA/New Mexico Highlands) joined Costello 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: LaMonte Named Second-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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