INDIANAPOLIS (USBWA) – Jackson Danzig of the University of Scranton (Scranton, Pa.) and Bailey Donovan of Husson University (Bangor, Maine) were named the U.S. Basketball Writers Association Division III National Players of the Week for the week ending February 6.
Danzig, a 6-5 senior guard from Clarks Green, Pa., displayed efficient shooting while filling up the stat sheet in a 2-0 week for Scranton (12-7, 6-3). On Wednesday, he scored 28 points (9-of-11 FG, 8-of-10 FT, 2-of-3 3FG), grabbed 10 rebounds, dished out five assists, blocked two shots, and added two steals in the Royals' 69-66 victory at Moravian. In that game, Danzig scored six straight points over an 80-second span late in the second half and then assisted on a three-pointer in the final seconds to help clinch the win. On Saturday, he only played 26 minutes in a 95-60 rout of Goucher, but still posted 19 points (8-of-10 FG, 2-of-2 FT, 1-of-3 3FG), five rebounds, eight assists, and two blocks. Over the two games, Danzig averaged 23.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 2.0 blocks, and 1.0 steals while shooting 80.9 percent (17-of-21) from the field, 50 percent (3-of-6) from three-point range and 83.3 percent (10-of-12) from the foul line. For his efforts, Danzig was also named the Landmark Conference Athlete of the Week.
Donovan, a 6-3 junior forward from Island Falls, Maine, posted four double-doubles in leading Husson (14-4, 8-0) to four victories and the top spot in the North Atlantic Conference (NAC). She had 24 points (8-of-16 FG, 8-of-10 FT), 14 rebounds, three assists, three blocks, and a steal in Tuesday's 92-58 win over Maine-Fort Kent. The next night, Donovan totaled 16 points (5-of-12 FG, 6-of-8 FT), 15 rebounds, a career-high six assists, five blocks, and two steals as the Eagles defeated then-conference leader Maine Maritime, 73-40. On Friday, she finished with 30 points (13-of-16 FG, 4-of-7 FT), 10 rebounds, four blocks, and two assists in a 79-50 win over Northern Vermont-Lyndon. The two teams played again the next day with Donovan posting 19 points (8-of-11 FG, 3-of-4 FT), 12 rebounds, two assists, a block and a steal in Husson's 73-49 victory. For the week, she averaged 22.2 points, 12.7 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 3.2 blocks, and 1,0 steals while shooting 61.8 percent (34-of-55) from the field and 72.4 percent (21-of-29) from the foul line. Donovan, who leads NCAA Division III in field goal percentage (68.4), is fourth in double-doubles (14) and sixth in rebounds per game (13.8) was also named the NAC Player of the Week.
Each Tuesday, the USBWA is selecting men's and women's Division III National Players of the Week. The program has resumed after a one-season hiatus and this is the seventh 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 Malcolm Moran at 814-574-1485.