PELLA—What has long been evident to Central College men's basketball fans was again affirmed by the National Association of Basketball Coaches as Joshua Van Gorp (senior, Pella) was again named a Division III all-American.
           
Van Gorp, a dominant 6-foot-10 center, is the first two-time all-America honoree in program history and its first NABC all-America pick ever. A third-team choice last year, he was a second-team selection on the NABC squad announced Wednesday. He was the only Iowa collegian named.
           
"I'm very happy for Josh," coach Joe Steinkamp said. "He worked extremely hard in the off-season and really added to his game. To get bumped up to the second team is a credit to his hard work. He's grown so much as a player and a leader. He's the ultimate teammate." Van Gorp, a two-time American Rivers MVP, Van Gorp led the league in scoring (23.4 points per game) and rebounding (10.3), while ranking second in field goal percentage (64.1%) and sixth in blocked shots (0.8).
           
Within Division III, Van Gorp ranks second nationally in field goals (250), fourth in points per game (23.4) and ninth in field goal percentage (64.1%).
           
Van Gorp set a school record with a 48-point eruption in a 94-75 road runaway over nationally ranked Coe College Jan. 27. It was among 12 games when he scored 25 or more points this year. He also notched 13 double-doubles. Van Gorp also grabbed 22 rebounds against Buena Vista Nov. 29, the second-highest in school history His 608 season points rank second in school history while his 269 rebounds rank fifth.
           
For his career, Van Gorp has 1,357 points, ranking seventh on the school career charts,  and has 614 rebounds, which ranks 11th.
           
Steinkamp said Van Gorp keeps finding ways to get better.
           
"He's worked so much physically to gain some speed," he said. "He's always had great touch and he's extended his range. His ability to run the floor and get so many baskets before the defense can set up is just a tribute to how hard he's worked. Most people see a big guy and they think he's maybe slow. But Josh can beat you with speed and power."
           
And maybe the best news for Dutch fans is that Steinkamp is hopeful that Van Gorp will opt to return for the additional year of eligibility granted by the NCAA due to the global pandemic.
           
"I'm just so excited that we get to have him for another year," Steinkamp said.

2023-24 NABC Division III All-America First Team
Josh Angle - Claremont-Mudd-Scripps
Ryan Broeckel - Wisconsin Lutheran
Tyler Dearman - Guilford
Dominic Dunn - Widener
Jeff Hunter - Keene State
Nick Hurowitz - Farmingdale State
David Murray - Connecticut
Ja'Zere Noel - Rowan
Jalen Overway - Calvin
Logan Pearson - Wisconsin-Platteville
 
2023-24 NABC Division III All-America Second Team
Donyae Baylor-Carroll - Penn State Harrisburg
Octavio Brito - Keene State
Luke Chicone - John Carroll
Hayden Doyle – Washington-St. Louis (Mo.)
Jesse Hafemeister - Catholic
Davidson Hubbard - Hampden-Sydney
Tyree Mitchell - Saint Joseph (Conn.)
Kamden Ross - Schreiner
Jeremiah Sparks - Oswego State
Joshua Van Gorp - Central
 
2023-24 NABC Division III All-America Third Team
John Adams - WPI
Will Bartoszek - Hardin-Simmons
Adam Brazil - Hampden-Sydney
Ben Callahan-Gold - Trinity (Conn.)
Daniel Cook - St. John Fisher
Vinny DeAngelo - Swarthmore
Spencer Freedman - NYU
Hunter Nielsen - Bethany Lutheran
Christian Parker - Mount Union
Jonathan Zapinski - Elmhurst