BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - The Illinois Wesleyan University men's basketball program increased its national leading D3hoops.com All-American total Tuesday, March 24, as sophomore Noah Cleveland (Normal, Ill.-Normal Community) and junior Mason Funk (Normal, Ill.-University High) reeled in honors. Cleveland was a first team pick and was also voted the D3hoops.com National Rookie of the Year, while Funk landed on the fifth team.

The duo push IWU's all-time tally to 19 and represent the Titans' first selections since Matthew Leritz first team recognition in 2022. Additionally, it is the third time in program history with multiple selections. The announcement marks the first occurrence since 2006 when Keelan Amelianovich and Adam Dauksas were voted first teamers. Moreover, Cleveland follows in the footsteps of Josh Fridman who was tabbed last season's national rookie of the year. Illinois Wesleyan is the first school to reel in the award multiple times since the organization began doling it out in 2008. 

Tuesday's announcement adds to a lengthy list of awards hauled in by Cleveland this season. In his first year of collegiate basketball, Cleveland was named D3hoops.com First Team All-Region 8, the D3hoops.com Region 8 Rookie of the Year, a unanimous First Team All-College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin selection, and made history as the league's first student-athlete to sweep the CCIW Most Outstanding Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year awards. His five CCIW Player of the Week awards set a new program record and were the most by an individual in a single season across the league since 2018. He averaged 18.8 points and 11.3 rebounds per game, leading the team in both categories. Cleveland shot 59.6 percent from the field and added 53 assists, 49 blocks, and 45 steals. He scored in double figures in 23 of 27 contests with 11 games of 20+ points. The sophomore secured 16 double-doubles, good for sixth-most across Division III. 

One of two players to start every game for the Titans this season, Funk put together a breakout year to lead the Green and White. The junior averaged 15.9 points alongside 6.5 rebounds per game, second to only Cleveland. The top defensive player in the CCIW, Funk finished with 73 rejections and 54 steals, while adding 72 assists. His 73 swats are the second-most in IWU single-season history and stand as the seventh-most nationally. A First Team All-CCIW pick, Funk was D3hoops.com All-Region 8 Second Team and reeled in one CCIW Player of the Week nod. A finalist for the prestigious Josten's Trophy award, he totaled 20+ points in 10 games and racked up three 30-point showings. 

The 2025-26 season was a memorable one as the Titans returned to the Elite Eight for the first time since 2022. IWU finished the year with a 26-5 overall record, the program's highest win total since 2014. Illinois Wesleyan won the CCIW regular season and tournament championships in the same season for the first time in program history, before winning three NCAA Tournament games.