INDIANAPOLIS (USBWA) – Jalen Overway of Calvin University (Grand Rapids, Mich.) and Katie Neher of Lake Forest College (Lake Forest, Ill.) were named the U.S. Basketball Writers Association Division III National Players of the Week for the week ending February 5.
Overway, a 6-9 freshman center from Holland, Mich., posted two double-doubles as No. 13 (D3hoops.com) Calvin won both of its games last week. In an 84-51 victory over Kalamazoo on Wednesday, Overway scored 27 points (12-of-16 FG, 3-of-4 FT, grabbed 15 rebounds, dished out four assists, blocked three shots, and added a steal. Then on Saturday against Olivet, he finished with 30 points (11-of-18 FG, 7-of-7 FT, 1-of 2 3FG), 10 rebounds, four assists, and two blocks in the Knights’ 92-84 win. Over the two games, Overway averaged 28.5 points, 12.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 2.5 blocks, and 0.5 steals while shooting 67.6 percent (23-of-34) from the field and 90.9 percent (10-of-11) from the foul line. For his efforts, Overway was also named the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) Player of the Week. He leads the MIAA in both scoring (19.0) and rebounding (10.8).
Neher, a 5-7 senior guard from Kokomo, Ind., helped lead Lake Forest to a pair of road victories last week. In Tuesday’s 83-64 win at Mount Mary, Neher filled up the stat sheet by scoring 29 points (11-of-23 FG, 3-of-5 FT, 4-of-9 3FG), collecting 14 rebounds, recording eight assists, amassing five steals, and adding a block. On Saturday, she had 26 points (7-of-20 FG, 8-of-10 FT, 4-of-12 3FG), a career-high 21 rebounds, eight assists, and one steal in the Forester’s 97-88 overtime win at Beloit. For the week, Neher averaged 27.5 points, 17.5 rebounds, 8.0 assists, 3.0 steals, and 0.5 blocks while shooting 41.9 percent (18-of-43) from the field, 73.3 percent (11-of-15) from the foul line and 38.1 percent (8-of-21) from long distance. For her efforts, Neher, the conference scoring leader (20.6), was also selected the Midwest Conference (MWC) Performer of the Week.
Each Tuesday, the USBWA is selecting men's and women's Division III National Players of the Week. This is the eighth 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.