ST. LOUIS (USBWA) Caleb Thomasson of Sul Ross State University (Alpine, Texas) and Kaitlin Langer of the University of St. Thomas (St. Paul, Minn.) were named the U.S. Basketball Writers Association Division III National Players of the Week for the week ending February 5.
Thomasson, a 6-7 junior forward from Ackerly, Texas, recorded a pair of double-doubles as the Lobos (12-10, 8-5) won both of their games last week. In Sul Ross 83-79 overtime win over Hardin-Simmons on Thursday, Thomasson totaled 25 points (10-of-15 FG, 4-of-4 FT, 1-of-2 3FG), 10 rebounds and three assists. He scored 15 of the points in the second half and overtime against the American Southwest Conference (ASC) leaders (16-6, 10-3). Then, in an 86-58 win over McMurry on Saturday, Thomasson scored 30 points (12-of-14 FG, 5-of-7 FT, 1-of-2 3FG), collected 10 rebounds, and added an assist, steal and block. For the week, Thomasson averaged 27.5 points, 10.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 0.5 steal and blocks. He shot 75.9 percent (22-29) from the floor, 81.8 percent (9-of-11) from the foul line, and 50.0 percent (2-of-4) from three-point range. Also selected the ASC Player of the Week, Thomasson leads the Lobos in scoring (18.5 ppg), rebounding (8.6 rpg) and field goal percentage (64.3 percent).
Langer, a 6-3 senior center from Stillwater, Minn., helped lead the then-No. 3 ranked (D3hoops.com) Tommies (21-0, 14-0) to a 3-0 week. In St. Thomas 75-69 road victory over then-undefeated No. 17 Gustavus Adolphus on Wednesday, Langer tied a career high with 32 points (10-of-15 FG, 12-of-13 FT) and collected 10 rebounds while adding two assists, a block and a steal. On Saturday, she totaled 23 points (8-of-15 FG, 7-of-9 FT), six rebounds, two assists, and a block in a 62-53 win over St. Catherine. Then, in Sunday·s 69-54 victory against Luther, Langer had 11 points (4-of-9 FG, 3-of-4 FT), seven rebounds, two blocks, and an assist despite playing only 19 minutes. For the week, Langer averaged 22.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.3 steals, while shooting 56.4 percent (22-of-39) from the field and 84.6 percent (22-of-26) from the foul line. Also selected the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) Player of the Week, Langer leads the conference in scoring (19.7 ppg) and is fourth in field goal percentage 56.3 percent).
Each Tuesday, the USBWA is selecting men's and women's Division III National Players of the Week. This is the third season that the USBWA will recognize national players of the week from Division III.
The U.S. Basketball Writers Association was formed in 1956 at the urging of then-NCAA Executive Director Walter Byers. With some 900 members worldwide, it is one of the most influential organizations in college basketball. It has selected an All-America team since the 1956-57 season. For more information on the USBWA and its award programs, contact executive director Joe Mitch at 314-795-6821.
2016-17 USBWA Division III National Players of the Week
Week ending Nov. 20: Khory Moore, Virginia Wesleyan College and Camille McPherson, Moravian College
· Week ending Nov. 27: Ty Sabin, Ripon College and Mikayla Miller, Gustavus Adolphus College
· Week ending Dec. 4: Sam Amsbaugh, Simpson College and Sara Tarbert, Stevenson University
· Week ending Dec. 11: Jayde Dawson, Amherst College and Zarkia Mattox, Ferrum College
· Week ending Dec. 18: Anthony Mosley Jr., Illinois Institute of Technology and Emily Martin, Elizabethtown College
· Week ending Jan. 1: Tyheim Monroe, Cabrini College and Lisa Murphy, Carnegie Mellon University
· Week ending Jan. 8: Frank Schettino, College of Staten Island and Kelly Williams, Randolph-Macon College
· Week ending Jan. 15: Baba Waples, Penn State Berks and Garis Grant, Agnes Scott College
· Week ending Jan. 22: Ty Sabin, Ripon College and Lisa Murphy, Carnegie Mellon University
· Week ending Jan. 29: Marcos Echevarria, Nichols College and Kara Hageman, Case Western Reserve University
· Week ending Feb. 5: Caleb Thomasson, Sul Ross State University and Kaitlin Langer, University of St. Thomas
· Week ending Feb. 12: Brendan Wind, Nazareth College and Savannah Olsen, Newbury College
· Week ending Feb. 19: Keegan Ryan, St. John Fisher College and Jill Valley, Westfield State University
· Week ending Feb. 26: Ty Sabin, Ripon College and Katie Sommer, Wartburg College