Lebsock, Lee selected to NAIA Division II All-America team

• Nathan Lebsock

Nathan Lebsock
• Matt Lee

Matt Lee

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Two players who Dickinson State men’s basketball coach Ty Orton said had All-America work ethic earned that honor this week.

Blue Hawks senior guard Nathan Lebsock and sophomore forward Matt Lee were selected to the NAIA Division II All-America team.

Lebsock was named to the second team while Lee earned honorable mention honors.

Lebsock cemented his legacy as one of the best players in DSU history as a senior.

He was named the Dakota Athletic Conference’s Most Valuable Player and led the league in scoring at 20.5 points per game. He added 2.5 assists, 1.6 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 42 percent from the field and making 56 3-pointers and shooting 40 percent. He finished the season sixth in NAIA Division II with an 88 percent free-throw percentage.

Lebsock scored 593 points this season — the third-best single-season total in DSU history — to end his career with 1,600 points. He ranks second all-time at DSU behind Bob Waldal (1,936).

The 22-year-old, who will attend optometry school in the fall, also became the all-time leading 3-point shooter in school history his senior year. He made 182 3-pointers during his career and shot 41.5 percent.

“I’m pretty proud of Nate and everything he did the last four years,” Orton said. “It’s a great way to end his career.”

Lee averaged 14.2 points per game, shooting 58 percent from the field, and led DSU with 8.5 rebounds, 3 assists and 1.5 steals per game.

The 26-year-old came to DSU two seasons ago after spending more than five years away from organized basketball. Initially a NCAA Division I recruit, injuries hampered Lee’s career and forced him off the court.

Two years after returning to the game, he is an All-America player.

“All the hardships and everything, the way he’s grown as a person, as a basketball player and a leader the last year and a half has been tremendous,” Orton said. “He came in and became that all-around player and leader. He deserved that. He definitely deserves it. He worked hard enough to be an All-American this year.”

Four other DAC players were named to the team.

Black Hills State seniors Luke Enos and Will John Johnson were named first team and third team, respectively. Jamestown College senior C.J. Peeters and junior Travis Burley both earned honorable mention.

Hanstad ends season as top 3-point shooter

DSU sophomore John Hanstad finished the 2010-11 season with the top 3-point percentage in NAIA Division II.

Hanstad, a Dickinson High School graduate, shot 46.7 percent from 3-point range. He was 57 of 122 and averaged 8.3 points per game.

“When he was hitting, he made us that much better going around Nate and Matt. It put that other threat on the floor,” Orton said. “Everyone knew he was such a great shooter. He never got shots as much.”

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