INDIANAPOLIS (USBWA) – Russell Rau of Regis College (Weston, Mass.) and Alexa Charles of Hunter College (New York, N.Y.) were named the U.S. Basketball Writers Association Division III National Players of the Week for the period ending February 2.
Rau, a 6-5 senior forward from Westminister, Mass., used dead-eye shooting to lead Regis to its first two conference victories of the season. In a 94-72 win over Emmanuel on Wednesday, he finished with 33 points (13-of-18 FG, 1-of-1 FT, 6-of-9 3FG), nine rebounds, two steals, and two blocks. Then, on Saturday, Rau scored 30 points (10-of-14 FG, 4-of-8 FT, 6-of-10 3FG), grabbed 20 rebounds, dished out seven assists, and recorded three steals as the Pride handed Lasell its first conference loss of the season, 98-88. For the week, he averaged 31.5 points, 14.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.5 steals, and 1.0 blocks while shooting 71.9 percent (23-of-32) from the field, 55.6 percent (5-of-9) from the foul line and 63.2 percent (12-of-19) from behind the arc. For his efforts, Rau was also selected the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Player of the Week.
Charles, a 5-8 junior guard from Tarrytown, N.Y., helped Hunter remain undefeated in conference play last week with three victories. Charles began the week with a triple-double in an 88-36 win at Sarah Lawrence, finishing with 35 points (15-of-25 FG, 5-of-9 FT), 12 rebounds and 10 steals. The next day, she totaled 25 points (10-of-25 FG, 5-of-8 FT), 16 rebounds, six assists, and six steals in a 79-44 victory at Medgar Evers. Charles capped off the week with 25 points (9-of-19 FG, 7-of-8 FT), 10 rebounds, two assists, six steals, and four blocks as the Hawks defeated John Jay 71-50. For the week, she averaged 28.3 points, 12.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 7.3 steals, and 1.3 blocks while shooting 49.3 percent (34-of-69) from the field and 68.0 percent (17-of-25) from the foul line. For her efforts, Charles, who is currently second in NCAA Division III in scoring (27.4) and third in steals (4.79), was also chosen the City University of New York Athletic Conference (CUNYAC) 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 University
• Week ending Jan. 26: Tommy Griffitts, California Lutheran; Angelina Kohlwaies, Mount Aloysius
• Week ending Feb. 2: Russell Rau, Regis College; Alexa Charles, Hunter College