The 2018 Triton College men's basketball team's historic accomplishment was immortalized as their national championship banner was hung from the rafters of the Collins Center Gymnasium on Nov. 28, prior to the Trojans game against Kennedy-King College.
Students, faculty, staff and community members were on hand for the pre-game banner unveiling ceremony. It included a video highlighting the Trojans' run to the NJCAA Division II National Championship, which was capped off by an 89-85 victory of Pima Community College (Ariz.) at Danville Area Community College in late March. Additionally, Trojans head coach Steve Christiansen was awarded the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association's Coach of the Year award during the ceremony. He was previously named the NJCAA Division II Coach of the Year.
"Celebrating something that was the culmination of years of hard work was a special moment not only for me but for our players, coaches and the entire Triton College community, said Christiansen. "It was the perfect way to leave Division II as we start on our new journey toward the top of the Division I ranks."
The national championship was the first in the 50-year history of the men's basketball program. The Trojans finished with an overall record of 33-4 en route to the crown, racking up several individual awards along the way including:
Deonta Terrell
NJCAA DII Tournament MVP
NJCAA DII All-American First Team
North Central Community College (N4C) Conference Player of the Year
Najee Brown-Henderson
NJCAA All-Tournament Team
Alondes Williams
NJCAA All-Tournament Team
N4C All-Conference First Team
Courtese Cooper
N4C All-Conference First Team
The powerful Triton squad also produced the program's first two Power Five conference transfers. Cooper, a 6-foot-9-inch power forward, is currently in his first season as a member of the Louisiana State University Tigers. Williams, a 6-foot-5-inch point guard, recently signed to transfer to Oklahoma University where he will join the Sooners next season.
Following their national championship campaign, coach Christiansen and the Trojans are off to a good start in the inaugural season in the Division I ranks. Triton has a perfect 7-0 record to start the season, most recently defeating Kennedy-King College 85-40 the night of the ceremony.
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