KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Dalton State men's basketball's Qualen Pettus has been selected to the 2026 NAIA Men's Basketball All-America Third Team, the association announced this morning from Kansas City, Mo. Pettus, a Fort Wayne, Ind. native, is one of 17 student-athletes nationwide to receive third-team honors.
 
Pettus finished the 2025–26 campaign as Dalton State's all-time leading scorer with 1,153 points. He also set program records for career field goals made (444) and attempted (934), tied the career defensive rebounds record (401) and established single-season marks for points (625), field goals made (242) and field goals attempted (485). His production and durability anchored the Roadrunners' offense while his work on the glass helped close out defensive possessions.
 
Pettus' recognition caps a season defined by consistency, toughness, and big-moment plays for the Roadrunners. Night after night, he was a tone-setter, impacting games on both ends, elevating team play, and delivering in key stretches of conference and non-conference action. His selection underscores the respect he earned from coaches and voters across the country and places him firmly among the NAIA's elite for 2026.
 
The NAIA's announcement also included the national individual awards and full All-America slate. Northwestern (Iowa) sophomore Jesse Van Kalsbeek was named 2026 NAIA Men's Basketball Player of the Year, while Drew Stutts of Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) earned NAIA Men's Basketball Coach of the Year honors after guiding the Lions to a 35–1 season that featured a perfect 12–0 Mid-South Conference mark and a 32-game winning streak. Northwestern (Iowa), LSU Shreveport (La.), and Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) were among the programs with multiple All-America honorees this season.
 
For Dalton State, Pettus' All-America nod is a testament to the program's continued trajectory, anchored by player development, unselfish play, and a commitment to defending and rebounding. It also reflects Pettus' growth and leadership, as he consistently matched the nation's best and helped the Roadrunners maintain their competitive standard throughout the 2025–26 campaign.

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