The unexpected nature of a season often reveals the character of a team and a program. For Dordt men's basketball coach Brian Van Haaften, the 2025-26 season was filled with those moments, from injuries and roster turnover to late-season momentum and a postseason game that didn't follow the script.

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Dordt's season ended in the GPAC quarterfinals with a narrow road loss to Concordia, a game that in many ways reflected the unpredictable path the Defenders had taken all year.

"It was just a weird game," Van Haaften said. "The things we had been doing well all year, we didn't do well, and the things we hadn't done well this year, we did well in that game."

Defensively, Dordt delivered one of its strongest performances of the season, holding Concordia to 66 points and forcing the Bulldogs into difficult looks. Offensively, however, the Defenders struggled to find rhythm.

"We just kind of came to a stall," Van Haaften said. "We had a good stretch early in the second half, but then we turned it over a little too much and missed some shots. I thought we had some good looks and they just didn't go in.
That's the nature of sports."

Even as the season concluded, Van Haaften reflected on the players who helped shape the year, beginning with senior Ty Van Essen, whose steady development stood out over four seasons.

"Ty just kept getting better," Van Haaften said. "He loves wearing the black and gold. Ever since he was in second or third grade he'd come to Dordt games and wanted to wear that jersey."

Van Essen delivered one of the most efficient seasons in program history, shooting 56 percent from the field, 42 percent from three-point range, and nearly 90 percent from the free throw line. But Van Haaften valued more than the
numbers.

"He was the one guy on the floor who was just really tough," Van Haaften said. "He made big defensive plays, rebounded well, got on the floor for loose balls and encouraged the young guys. We couldn't have done it without him."

Two other departing players also left their mark in ways that went beyond minutes on the floor.

Senior guard Kaden Oosterwyk arrived at Dordt hoping to carve out a role but never cracked the regular rotation. Even so, his presence remained valuable.

"Kaden is just a great kid and a great leader of people," Van Haaften said. "From a basketball standpoint it didn't work out like he wanted, but he came ready every day. Dordt was a great fit for him and the world is his as he goes forward."

Blake Hekman, who will graduate after three seasons and return to the Kansas City area, also made a strong impression on his teammates.

"He came in quiet, but the guys really gravitated to him," Van Haaften said. "He's married already, and the team really connected with him. He was just a really good part of this program and of Dordt."

While some players move on, the future remains promising for the Defenders. Junior guard Connor Milliken earned First Team All-GPAC honors after quietly producing one of the most complete seasons in the conference. He finished among the league's top 10 in scoring, rebounding, and assists, a rare combination for a 6-foot-1 guard.

"He was awesome this year," Van Haaften said. "He's always on the floor for loose balls, he's tough defensively, and he's become a really great passer. When you score 2,600 points in high school, you know where the basket is, but he's turned into a really good all-around player."

Transfer guard Jake Proctor also earned Honorable Mention All-GPAC recognition after stepping into a larger role in his second season with the program.

"He's a great defender and a great shooter," Van Haaften said. "Both years he's been close to 50 percent from the field and over 40 percent from three. We kind of shoved him into the point guard role at times and he did it well."

Perhaps the most intriguing development came from freshman post player Judson Henkel, who adjusted quickly to both college basketball and campus life.

"Homeschooled kid who had never really been in a classroom before," Van Haaften said. "The first semester was an adjustment, but he really came along. He had some really good games for us."

Henkel's offensive ability showed promise, and Van Haaften believes physical development will help unlock more of his potential.

"He just needs to gain 10 or 15 pounds," he said with a smile. "But he has a lot of ability and a lot of learning left to do."

The Defenders also expect the return of two key players who missed time with injuries late in the season. Jake Hargens and Nick Hanson are both progressing in their recovery, with hopes they will be ready when the next season approaches.

"We need Jake," Van Haaften said. "He's a guy who can do everything—points, rebounds, assists. We need him to be one of the top players in the league next year."

Despite the challenges of this season, Van Haaften sees it as part of a larger story the program has been building.

Over the past five years, Dordt has established itself as one of the GPAC's top programs, consistently competing near the top of the standings and reaching the national tournament.

"I think the standard now is that we want to play in the national tournament every year and challenge for a conference title," Van Haaften said. "This year we didn't reach that standard."

Roster turnover, injuries, and youth all played a role. Dordt lost seven seniors from the previous season, saw a returning player depart for Division I, and dealt with injuries to key contributors. Even so, the Defenders showed growth late in the year.

"We were 12-12 and won our last four regular-season games," Van Haaften said. "We were playing our best basketball at the end. Our defense got a lot better."

Now, as spring approaches, the unexpected nature of one season gives way to anticipation for the next.

"I think the guys are looking forward to a little redemption," Van Haaften said.