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Cruse named NJCAA D-II first-team All-America

The photo shows an indoor basketball game in progress. One player wearing a white jersey with yellow trim and the text “JOHNSON COUNTY” along with the number 21 is in the act of shooting the basketball. The player is holding the ball above their head with both hands, preparing for a shot. Another player in a teal and black jersey with the number 14 is positioned defensively, with one arm extended upward to contest the shot. The background features rows of blue stadium seats and a railing, indicating the game is taking place in a gymnasium or sports arena. The lighting is bright and evenly distributed, typical of an indoor sports facility.
Tavian Cruse takes a shot in a recent game.
Posted: Apr 09, 2026

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. - Johnson County Community College sophomore forward Tavian Cruse has been named a first-team Division II All-American by the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA). Cruse becomes the sixth NJCAA All-American in the six years of the Rand Chappell era and the 25th in program history.

Cruse helped JCCC make history this season by securing its first undefeated regular season, finishing 29-0. The Cavaliers went on to capture the KJCCC Division II championship and earned an at-large berth to the NJCAA Division II National Tournament, where they placed eighth to finish the year 31-3—tying the program record for victories in a season.

Prior to earning All-America honors, Cruse was named the KJCCC Division II Most Valuable Player for the 2025-26 season. He also garnered first-team All-KJCCC Division II and first-team All-Region 6 honors, while earning KJCCC Division II Player of the Week recognition three times (weeks five, 12, and 14). In week five, he was also named NJCAA Division II National Player of the Week.

Cruse averaged 13.4 points and 10.2 rebounds per game, becoming just the 11th player in program history to average a double-double for a season. He scored in double figures in 29 games and recorded 10 or more rebounds in 21 contests, finishing with 19 double-doubles—tying the single-season program record set by Caleb Kennedy in 2001-02. His 29 double-figure scoring games rank tied for ninth in school history, while his 21 games with 10-plus rebounds tie for second most in a season.

He led the team in rebounding 25 times, the second-highest total in program history, and finished with 348 total rebounds—the second-most in a single season at JCCC. Cruse shot 55.1 percent from the field (190-of-345), 36.1 percent from three-point range (26-of-72), and 64.5 percent from the free throw line (49-of-76).

Cruse led the conference in both total rebounds and rebounds per game, ranking fourth nationally in total rebounds and eighth in rebounds per game. He also finished fifth in the conference in field goals made (190), sixth in total points (455), 10th in scoring average, third in field goal percentage, and sixth in blocked shots (17).

At the NJCAA Division II National Tournament, Cruse was named to the All-Tournament Team after scoring in double figures in all four games and recording double-digit rebounds twice. He averaged 14.0 points and a team-best 8.8 rebounds per game. His 56 total points rank tied for 11th in JCCC tournament history, while his 35 rebounds are the second-most. His 8.8 rebounds per game rank seventh all-time, and his 26 made field goals tie for third most in tournament history.

Over his two-year career, Cruse was part of the most successful stretch in program history, helping JCCC to a 62-9 record, two undefeated conference championship seasons, and back-to-back NJCAA Division II Tournament appearances, both resulting in eighth-place finishes. The Cavaliers also earned final national rankings of No. 8 and No. 3 during his tenure.

Cruse became just the sixth player in program history to average double figures in both scoring (12.5) and rebounding (10.1) for a career. He finished with 889 career points (21st all-time) and 714 rebounds (fourth all-time), while his 10.1 rebounds per game average ties for sixth in school history. He set program records for career games with 10 or more rebounds (42) and double-doubles (34), and ranks second in games leading the team in rebounding (43) and eighth in games scoring in double figures (53).

In national tournament play, Cruse holds program records for total rebounds (69) and field goals made (37), while ranking tied for fourth in total points (84) and fifth in rebounds per game (8.6).