On Thursday, the NJCAA announced the 2018-19 Men's Basketball Players of the Year and for the second straight year, an ICCAC took home the hardware. Kirkwood's Douglas Wilson earned the DII honor this year, following up Iowa Central's Tray Croft last season.
Wilson led the Eagles, who finished with a winning record of 31-4, to the Division II NJCAA National Championship.
The Des Moines, Iowa native was well decorated with awards during his time at Kirkwood. This season, he earned NJCAA First-Team All-American status along with his ICCAC Player of the Year honors and First Team All-Region accolade. As a freshman, Wilson earned NJCAA Second Team All-American honors after also earning a spot on First Team All-Region.
Wilson led ICCAC in five categories, points per game (21), rebounds per game (8.7), field goal percentage (67%), rebounds (296), and blocks (60).
Wilson showed up big in the Division II National Championship game. He netted 30 points (13-23 FG), snagged 15 rebounds and swatted five shots in the title game as Kirkwood fended off Johnson County (Kan.), 64-58.
The sophomore scored 20 or more points in 16 games this season and scored 30+ in three. His highest scoring game came as a freshman against Ellsworth when scored 34.
The Eagles soared through the Region XI Tournament games, earning wins against Southwestern (106-52), DMACC (87-77), and NIACC (84-72). The tougher competition came in play at Danville, IL when Kirkwood finally made it to the National Tournament where the Eagles fought in four victories until they reached their National Title, their second championship in four years.
Wilson will be continuing his basketball and academic career at South Dakota State University next season.