INDIANAPOLIS (USBWA) – Jeff Hunter of Keene State College (Keene, N.H.) and Natalie Anderson of Trinity University (San Antonio, Texas) were named the U.S. Basketball Writers Association Division III National Players of the Week for the week ending Dec. 3.
Hunter, a 6-6 fifth-year center from Hudson, Mass., averaged a double-double as No. 5 (D3hoops.com) Keene State won both of its contests last week. He scored 22 points (10-of-16 FG, 2-of-3 FT) in the Owls’ 94-77 win at Albertus Magnus (receiving votes) on Tuesday. He added 18 rebounds, two assists, a steal, and two blocks in the contest, compiling 16 points and 11 rebounds in the second half alone. In Saturday’s 94-80 victory over Southern Maine, Hunter posted a double-double in the first half (10 points, 10 rebounds) and finished with 22 points (9-of-13 FG, 4-of-5 FT), 11 rebounds, three assists, and two blocks. For the week, he averaged 22.0 points, 14.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 0.5 steals, and 2.0 blocks while shooting 65.5 percent (19-of-29) from the field and 75.0 percent (6-of-8) from the foul line. A two-time USBWA National Player of the Week last season, Hunter is now second on the Owls’ all-time list in rebounding (1,082) and fifth in scoring (1,533). For his efforts last week, Hunter was also named the Little East Conference Player of the Week.
Anderson, a 6-0 sophomore guard from San Jose, Calif., led No. 8/14 (WBCA, D3hoops.com) Trinity to a pair of road victories last week. On Friday, she scored 17 points (7-of-13 FG, 3-of-4 FT), grabbed seven rebounds and dished out an assist in the Tigers’ 88-59 win over Southwestern. Then, Anderson tied a career high with 27 points (9-of-16 FG, 9-of-11 FT) and hit a buzzer-beating layup at the end of regulation in Trinity’s 86-76 overtime victory at Texas Lutheran on Saturday. She added a career-high 12 rebounds in the contest. For the week, Anderson averaged 22.0 points, 9.5 rebounds and 0.5 assists while shooting 55.1 percent (26-of-29) from the field, and 80 percent (12-of-15) from the foul line. For her efforts, Anderson was also selected the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) 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 ninth 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.
2023-24 USBWA Division III National Players of the Week
• Week ending Dec. 3: Jeff Hunter, Keene State; Natalie Anderson, Trinity (Texas)