Following the conclusion of the 2016 NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Championship Game, Benedictine University senior men's basketball player Luke Johnson was tabbed as the National Player of the Year by D3hoops.com.

Johnson helped direct Benedictine to the best season in school history, gathering multiple honors along the way. The Wheaton Academy product set single season school and conference records for blocks (91) and rebounds (354).

Johnson finished the season scoring a team best 14.7 points along with a conference leading 11.1 rebounds per game. Johnson who finished second on the team in assists and led the squad in three-point percentage, was a first team All-America selection by D3hoops.com and also a second team All-America choice by the NABC. The Naperville, Ill. resident was named as the NACC Player of the Year.

During the team's record setting season, Johnson racked up 18 double-doubles including four in the NCAA Tournament and seven over the final eight contests. Johnson scored in double figures on 26 occasions, reaching the mark in each of the last nine games of the season. Additionally, the senior netted over 20 points in a game eight times and boasted 20 games with 10 or more rebounds and five with 16 or higher.

Season highlights for Johnson include a 20-rebound performance at Edgewood on December 12, a near triple-double against Concordia Chicago on February 9 (9-11-10), and a career best 25 points in a win at Lakeland to complete the first perfect regular season in conference history.

Other distinctions for Johnson on the season included co-Central Region Player of the Year from D3hoops.com, First Team All-Region for both D3hoops.com and the NABC, First Team All-NACC, and a two-time NACC Player of the Week.

Benedictine ran through the season unbeaten, reaching the championship game for the first time in program history before falling 82-76 to the University of St. Thomas to finish 31-1. Benedictine was the first unbeaten team to reach the title contest since 1998. The senior finished with 21 points and 11 rebounds in the championship game.