BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - For the first time in program history, the sixth-ranked Illinois Wesleyan University men's basketball team saw multiple players reel in Preseason All-America status from D3hoops.com, the organization announced Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 28. Senior Mason Funk (Normal, Ill.-University High) and junior Josh Fridman (Northbrook, Ill.-Glenbrook North) landed second and third team honors, respectively.
Funk and Fridman are the seventh and eighth Titans to reel in the preseason honor since D3hoops began announcing them in 2010. In addition to Fridman's selection last year, the duo join Nick Roper (third team - 2024), Luke Yoder (fifth team - 2023), Matthew Leritz (second team - 2021), Andrew Ziemnik (third team - 2013), and Doug Sexauer (third team - 2010). Overall, IWU's selections were two of three College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin student-athletes to garner preseason praise alongside Wheaton's Soren Richardson (second team). Additionally, IWU and top-ranked Mary Washington were the only two programs with multiple honorees.
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One of two players to start every game for the Titans last season, Funk put together a breakout year to lead the Green and White. He averaged 15.9 points alongside 6.5 rebounds per game, both second-best on the team. The top defensive player in the CCIW, Funk finished with 73 rejections and 54 steals, while adding 72 assists. His 73 swats were the second-most in IWU single-season history. 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-plus points in 10 games and racked up three 30-point showings.
Fridman, the first two-time preseason selection in program history, moved up from a fifth team selection prior to the 2025-26 campaign. Fridman played in six games before seeing his sophomore season end due to injury. The Northbrook, Ill., native started strong, however, averaging 7.7 points per game on 48.1 percent shooting. He dished out 13 assists, grabbed six rebounds, and added two steals. In his rookie season, the point guard was voted the CCIW Newcomer of the Year as well as the D3hoops Region 8 Rookie of the Year. In his first season donning the Green and White, Fridman worked his way into the lineup as the team's starting point guard. He averaged 9.2 points per game and dished out 76 assists against just 41 turnovers.
Illinois Wesleyan officially starts the 2026-27 season as host to the Sikma Hall of Fame Invitational Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 14-15. The Titans will take on Yeshiva University Saturday, Nov. 14, at 8 p.m., while Benedictine University and Trinity University (Texas) will battle in a 5:30 p.m. tip.
