INDIANAPOLIS (USBWA) – Jacob Reese of Belhaven University (Jackson, Miss.) and Mary Schleusner of Washington & Lee University (Lexington, Va.) were named the U.S. Basketball Writers Association Division III National Players of the Week for the period ending January 19.
Reese, a 6-7 senior forward from Starkville, Miss., recorded a pair of double-doubles in leading Belhaven to two road victories last week. At Covenant on Thursday, Reese tied a career high with 26 points (12-of-21 FG, 2-of-4 FT), including the go-ahead bucket with 53 seconds remaining. He added 18 rebounds and three assists in the Blazers’ 96-92 victory. Then, at Piedmont on Sunday, Reese totaled 18 points (5-of-10 FG, 8-of-9 FT), 17 rebounds, an assist, and a steal in his team’s 72-65 win. For the week, he averaged 22.0 points, 17.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 0.5 steals while shooting 54.8 percent (17-of-31) from the field and 76.9 percent (10-of-13) from the foul line. For his efforts, Reese, who currently ranks fourth in NCAA Division III in rebounds per game (13.4), was also selected the Collegiate Conference of the South (CCS) Player of the Week.
Schleusner, a 6-1 junior forward Charlotte, N.C., put up unprecedented numbers in No. 14/17 (WBCA, D3hoops.com) Washington & Lee’s two victories last week. In a 62-59 win over Shenandoah on Wednesday, she 20-20’d with 25 points (11-of-31 FG, 1-of-2 FT, 2-of-6 3FG) and 24 rebounds, while adding an assist, a steal, and two blocks. Then, on Saturday at Roanoke, Schleusner pulled down an NCAA-best (all three divisions) 31 rebounds to go with her 31 points (12-of-27 FG, 7-of-9 FT), one assist, and one steal. For the week, she averaged 28.0 points, 27.5 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.0 blocks while shooting 39.7 percent (23-of-58) from the field, 72.7 percent (8-of-11) from the foul line and 22.2 percent (2-of-9) from beyond the arc. For her efforts, Schleusner, who leads NCAA Division III in rebounds per game (18.2), was also chosen the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Player of the Week.
Each Tuesday, the USBWA is selecting men's and women's Division III National Players of the Week. This is the 10th 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.
2024-25 USBWA Division III National Players of the Week
• Week ending Nov. 10: Lucas Lesko, Wilkes University; Destiny Matthews, Concordia University (Texas)
• Week ending Nov. 17: Adam Brazil, Hampden-Sydney College; Mary Schluesner, Washington & Lee University
• Week ending Nov. 24: Octavio Brito, Keene State University; Natalie Gricius, Carroll University
• Week ending Dec. 1: Billy Ray Barnes III, Dean College; Korin Baker, Whitman College
• Week ending Dec. 8: Owen Liss, Norwich University; Kendall Harris, Hamilton College
• Week ending Dec. 15: Devon Lewis, California Lutheran University; Jordan Carpenter, Penn State Harrisburg
• Week ending Jan. 5: Felix Kloman, Babson College; Zoe Tomlinson, Colorado College
• Week ending Jan. 12: Curt Heinz, Maine Maritime Academy; Kacie Kranson, University of Scranton
• Week ending Jan. 19: Jacob Reese, Belhaven; Mary Schleusner, Washington & Lee