2005-06 Recruits

06-22-05 Quinn Adds Division I Transfer to Yellowjacket Roster

Graceland Head Coach Ted Quinn has added NCAA Division I transfer Dan Leadbetter to the 2005-06 Yellowjacket basketball roster. Leadbetter was a two-year player for University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC), a member of the Mid-Continent Conference.

"Dan is an experienced player that is coming to Graceland to contribute in big ways,” according to Coach Quinn. “He will provide great experience from an NCAA Division I program that will help our younger players as they develop their game. Dan will have just one year left to compete, but his time here could have a big impact on the future of our post play. He will bring size, toughness, and three seasons of Division I competition to the table. We are looking forward to Dan's arrival on campus."

Leadbetter is a six-foot-ten-inch center from Abingdon, Ill. who played in 46 games for the UMKC Kangaroos in two years, followed by a red-shirt year during the 2003-04 season.

Prior to UMKC, Leadbetter averaged 11.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game as a senior for Abingdon High School. He led the team to a 25-3 record and the conference championship. Dan was an all-conference player who shot 55 percent from the field and 70 percent from the free throw line in his senior season. He posted one triple-double, scoring 21 points, grabbing 10 rebounds and blocking 11 shots, and recorded three doubles-doubles in scoring and rebounding. Dan was a nominee for the McDonald’s High School All-America Team and participated in the Illinois State High School Association state slam dunk contest his senior season.

Dan is the son of Reva and Garlan and the brother to Donna, Debbie, Laura and Tim. Upon arrival in Lamoni, Iowa, Dan plans to enroll in Graceland’s primary education program.

05-17-05 Platte County Senior Signs With Graceland

Lawrence Kroenke, from Platte City, Mo., has signed a letter of intent to play basketball for Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa, beginning in the fall of 2005.

At Platte County High School, Kroenke was an honorable mention all-conference power forward. The Pirates finished the 2004-05 season with a 25-2 record and played in the Missouri state quarterfinal game.

"We are excited to have signed a young man with such great character,” says Ted Quinn, men’s basketball coach at Graceland University.

“He will bring a level of excitement and commitment to our program that is invaluable. Lawrence has a great deal of potential on the court and in the classroom and we are looking forward to working with him. He is a great addition to our program and will fit right in with the dynamics of our team.”

Lawrence is the son of John and Ginger.