OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Under the direction of new head coach Rand Chappell last season, the Johnson County men's basketball team appeared in all 12 NJCAA D-II Polls. That string has now reached 13 as Chappell's 2021-22 squad has been selected No. 11 to open the campaign.
2021-22 NJCAA Preseason Poll
Defending national champion Des Moines Area Community College came in as the No. 1 team, followed by Davidson-Davie Community College, Kirkwood Community College, Ancilla College and Mott Community College. Mott defeated the Cavaliers in the first round at the national tournament last season.
Dating back to December 4, 2018, the Cavaliers have appeared in 40 consecutive polls.
Last season, Johnson County entered the preseason ranked No. 8 nationally and finished the year at No. 11. Chappell returns eight players from last year's 16-6 team that finished with a share of the conference title, won the Region VI/Plains District title and competed in the NJCAA D-II National Tournament.
The Cavaliers' top returning player is sophomore Jaland Whitehead. The 6-9 forward from Grand Rapids, Mich., earned second-team NJCAA D-II All-American, first-team All-Region VI D-II/Plains District and first-team All-Kansas Jayhawk Conference D-II honors. He became just the 10th player all-time and first since 2001-02 to average double figures in points (14.0) and rebounds (11.4).
Also back is guard Desi Williams who earned second-team All-KJCCC D-II and was voted the Freshman of the Year. He averaged 10.9 points and 4.0 assists per game.
The Cavaliers open the 2021-22 season at home on Monday, November 1 against Washburn University JV at 7 p.m., followed by Kansas Wesleyan University JV on Wednesday, November 3 at 7 p.m.