Jesse Van Kalsbeek Ready to Shine at South Dakota State After Stellar NAIA Career

BROOKINGS — After two successful seasons at Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa, Jesse Van Kalsbeek is set to elevate his game to the Division I level as he joins South Dakota State's 2026 recruiting class. The 6-foot-6 forward from Sheldon, Iowa, was crowned Iowa's Mr. Basketball in 2024, boasting impressive averages of 26 points and 11 rebounds per game during his time at MOC-Floyd Valley. Following in the footsteps of his three brothers, who also played at Northwestern, Van Kalsbeek has established himself as a formidable talent in the NAIA.

In his freshman year, he recorded averages of 20.5 points and 9.1 rebounds, but opted to remain with the Red Raiders for another season. That decision paid off, as he exploded onto the scene his sophomore year with a national-leading average of 27.8 points, along with 12.4 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game, while shooting 61% from the field and 41% from beyond the arc. Such achievements earned him the title of NAIA and small college player of the year.

Now, Van Kalsbeek is poised to make an impact at South Dakota State, particularly as the team looks to recover from a disappointing 14-18 season, their first losing record since 2009-10. In a recent conversation with Sioux Falls Live's Matt Zimmer, he reflected on his journey from Orange City to Brookings and discussed the motivations behind his transfer.

When asked about his decision to join the Jackrabbits, Van Kalsbeek stated, "I really just enjoyed the coaching staff. I had a great visit. I really enjoyed campus, the facilities. It was close to home, so I can still see my family." He emphasized that being closer to home would allow his family to attend games, further enhancing his college experience.

Reflecting on his time at Northwestern, he acknowledged the importance of that period in his development, saying, "I thought Northwestern was just a great spot for me...I really grew as a player and as a teammate." As he transitions to Division I, Van Kalsbeek sees himself contributing as a versatile player, likely in a 2-4 role, emphasizing his ability to bring energy and athleticism to both offense and defense.

With his impressive skill set and a strong desire to improve, Jesse Van Kalsbeek is ready to take on the challenges of Division I basketball and make his mark at South Dakota State.