Grace College men’s basketball player Haden Deaton was named an NCCAA First Team All-American. Photo courtesy Jeff Nycz, Mid-South Images

By Josh Neuhart
Grace College Sports Information

WINONA LAKE – Haden Deaton was honored as an NCCAA First Team All-American to end his career for Grace’s men’s basketball team.

Deaton was “Mr. Reliable” for the Lancers throughout his career. The rugged forward did not miss a game, playing in all 126 games throughout his four-year career.

He finished with 1,926 career points (15.3 per game average), ranking No. 9 in team history. He hauled in 581 rebounds (4.6 per game).

As a senior he led Grace in scoring with 14.9 points per game, chipping in 4.4 rebounds and a career-high 3.0 assists per contest.

The senior was also named to the NCCAA All-Tournament Team after helping the Lancers to a third-place showing at the national tournament.

He was a three-time All-League performer, including First Team as a junior and senior and honorable mention as a sophomore.

Grace was honored in the classroom as well with several players achieving NCCAA Scholar-Athlete status, including Deaton, Cade Gibbs, Jakob Gibbs, Cody Holmes and Matt Jennings.

The Lancers finished the season 20-12, marking the first 20-win season since 2015-16. Grace received votes in the NAIA Top 25 for much of the season under head coach Scott Moore. Grace has appeared in a national tournament in 13 of the past 14 seasons.