SEWARD, Neb. – Two-time first team all-conference selection Chandler Folkerts has collected another honor. On Thursday the NAIA recognized Folkerts as a 2015-16 NAIA Division II honorable mention All-American. Earlier this season the junior star was awarded by College Sports Information Directors of America as a first team Academic All-American.
The native of Milford, Neb., has steadily improved throughout his career as a Bulldog. He completed the 2015-16 season with averages of 19.6 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.4 blocks while shooting 66.6 percent from the field (second best among NAIA Division II players). Folkerts topped all GPAC players with 13 double-doubles. The Chanimal piled up a career high 34 points in the win at Northwestern on Jan. 9. On Concordia’s all-time lists, Folkerts currently ranks 10th in scoring (1,397) and ninth in rebounds (618).
The list of accolades hauled in by Folkerts continues to grow. Earlier this week he was named a Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete. He’s also been named to the Omaha World-Herald NAIA All-Nebraska team and has twice been tabbed GPAC player of the week. On Jan. 6, 2015, he received the distinction of NAIA Division II national player of the week. This past January led Concordia to a CIT title and was named the tournament’s MVP.
Folkerts is the first Bulldog men’s basketball player to earn some form of All-America honor from the NAIA since Porter Birtell was named an honorable mention All-American for his work during the 2011-12 season.