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Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302
(article posted by Jeremy Rushing, Student Sports Information Assistant)

Apr. 1, 2013 - Becoming a main contributor to the North Central College men's basketball team from the minute he first stepped on the Gregory Arena floor, Landon Gamble knows a lot about what it means to earn expectations.  From sharing the CCIW Championship his Freshman season to making it all the way to the Final Four this year, Landon has become a crucial component to the turnaround of the Cardinal basketball program.
               
Landon led the Cardinals in scoring (14.1 points per game) as a freshman, earning First Team All-CCIW, Third Team All-Midwest Region, and Midwest Region Rookie of the Year honors as North Central won a share of the conference championship. As a sophomore, he once again led the team in points per game (13.7), ranking sixth in the CCIW in scoring and seventh in field-goal percentage (.524).  Landon ended his season by earning First Team All-CCIW and Second Team All-Midwest Region honors, leading the Cardinals to a CCIW Tournament title and their first appearance in the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Championship.
               
This year, he led the team scoring for the third season in a row (14.5 points per game), leading the CCIW in field-goal percentage (.579) while ranking fourth in the conference in scoring.  Landon became the program's 24th 1,000 point scorer Jan. 19 at North Park.  He earned his third straight First Team All-CCIW selection while also earning First Team All-Midwest Region honors before being named to the All-America First Team by D3hoops.com. North Central once again won the CCIW Tournament title and advanced to the NCAA Division III Final Four for the first time.


How did you get involved with the game of basketball?
I started when I was young.  My dad got me into a bunch of different sports, and once he got me into basketball I fell in love with it from the start. 

What's your favorite thing about basketball?
I love being challenged with tough situations out on the court.  I also love being with my teammates.

Have you played any other sports competitively?
In high school I competed in Track & Field and football.  I would say my second favorite sport to play is football.  I played defensive end in high school.

What made you decide to come to North Central?
Coach Todd Kelly recruited me.  I loved it here when I visited and I just knew this would be the best fit for me.

You and current teammate Vince Kmiec played in the same conference in High School.  What were your thoughts on Vince then and how did that familiarity help you guys once you got here?
I hated him in high school (laughs).  He would always give us (Lockport) a hard time with his shooting.  When I found out we would be on the same side here, that hate turned into a lot of love because I knew what I had coming here with me.

The men's basketball program has enjoyed unprecedented success in your time here.  How does it feel to be in the class that came in and helped to bring the program to where it is today?
It feels great to be a part of the turnaround.  We've been doing a lot of great things this past three years so to be a part of that is a big deal.

How does it feel to be named a First Team All-American this year?
It feels great. Anybody would love to receive these accolades so it's an honor for me.  Hopefully I can continue to do what I've been doing.

Your team captains, Derek Raridon and Aaron Tiknis, are graduating this year, what are you going to remember most about those two?
I'm never going to forget the energy Aaron brought on and off the court.  He was always there to get us hyped up for games.  I also won't forget Derek and his dead-eye shooting.  When I first came to North Central they would make me guard Derek in open gyms.  I was struggling like crazy and Derek was knocking down shots from everywhere (laughs).

Obviously it's disappointing to lose in the Final Four, but now that you've had a chance to step back and look at it, what are your thoughts about this past season as a whole?
This was an amazing season.  We did something this year no other (men's basketball) team in school history has ever done.  It was a huge disappointment when we lost, but looking back now we have nothing to be ashamed of. 

What's the biggest area you'd like to improve upon for next year?
The biggest area I feel I can always improve upon is my defense.  The coaches always say “defense creates your offense”. So, whenever I can improve my defense I feel like I'm a bigger asset to the team.

What's your favorite class you've taken so far at North Central?
History of Physical Education And Sport with Prof. Eddie Bedford.  I took that freshman year and that was a class I really enjoyed a lot.