BURNSVILLE, Minn. — Southwest Minnesota State University's Jakob Braaten has been voted by the head coaches of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference as the recipient of the 'Bob Olson Outstanding Senior of the Year Award' for the 2025-26 men's basketball season.
 
A native of Byron, Minn., Braaten holds a 3.02 grade-point average while majoring in education with a coaching minor. He will graduate with an elementary education degree and plans to pursue a career in teaching and coaching.
 
The 'Bob Olson Outstanding Senior of the Year Award' is presented to a NSIC men's basketball student-athlete who participates at his institution for four years and is academically superior while making a positive contribution to his team and University. The award was initiated in 2020-21 to honor an outstanding senior that exemplifies the attributes of Bob Olson. Olson, a longtime basketball coach and administrator at Northern State University, is known for his loyalty, commitment and humility. The NSIC men's basketball coaches felt Olson exemplified the attributes of the NSIC and wanted to honor a graduating senior student-athlete from the league that emulated Olson's traits.
 
Braaten has proven to be one of the premier players at SMSU and in the NSIC during his career. He earned first team All-NSIC honors during both the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons and twice was named NSIC Player of the Week during his career. He was also named NABC/D2CIDA National Player of the Week earlier this season. 
 
Braaten is averaging a team-high 14.4 points per game, while also leading the team in field goals (146), assists (126) and rebounding (5.5).
 
His outstanding play also earned national recognition, as this season he was named to the Trevor Hudgins Award Top 25 Watch List, presented annually to the top player in NCAA Division II men's basketball, and the Bevo Francis Award Top 100 Watch List, which recognizes the top players across all levels of small college basketball.
 
Braaten has played in 112 games with 86 starts during his four-year career. He ranks fourth in team history in both assists (361) and steals (152), while ranking 21^st in scoring (1,141). 
 
Beyond his success on the court, Braaten has made a lasting impact in the southwest Minnesota community. He has been actively involved in the Mini Mustangs program, which reaches more than 400 youth across the region by connecting with local schools and promoting basketball fundamentals and leadership. Braaten has also participated in speaking engagements at area schools, serving as a role model and mentor to young students while inspiring the next generation through his commitment to education and athletics.
 
"Jakob Braaten defines everything the NSIC Outstanding Senior of the Year Award stands for, both on and off the court," said SMSU head coach Brad Bigler. "His career achievements speak for themselves, being named to the Trevor Hudgins Award Top 25 Watch List and the Bevo Francis Award Top 100 Watch List reflects not only his elite level of play, but also his consistency, leadership and commitment to excellence throughout his entire career. Beyond basketball, he has made a meaningful impact in the community, especially in local schools across southwest Minnesota, where he connects naturally with kids and serves as a genuine role model. As a future education teacher, Jakob's character, authenticity and ability to positively influence young people truly set him apart. He represents our program, university and conference with the highest level of integrity, making him a perfect embodiment of what this award is meant to honor."