INDIANAPOLIS (USBWA) – Bryant Smith of Manchester University (North Manchester, Ind.) and Mary Schleusner of Washington and Lee University (Lexington, Va.) were named the U.S. Basketball Writers Association Division III National Players of the Week for the week ending December 17.
Smith, a 6-0 junior guard from West Lafayette, Ind., scored the most points in the NCAA this season, regardless of division, as he led Manchester to a victory in its only game of the week. In the Spartans’ 102-78 win over Berea on Saturday, Smith scored a career-high 52 points (15-of-23 FG, 11-of-11 FT, 11-of-18 3FG), the second-highest total in school history, while adding five rebounds, an assist, and a steal. The 11 three-pointers made is also highest this season among all three NCAA divisions. For his efforts, Smith was also named the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) Player of the Week.
Schleusner, a 6-1 sophomore forward from Charlotte, N.C., averaged a double-double in leading No. 15/17 (WBCA/D3hoops.com) Washington and Lee to a pair of victories at the TownePlace Suites Classic hosted by Oglethorpe. On Saturday, she scored 22 points (8-of-16 FG, 5-of-6 FT, 1-of-2 3FG), and added 12 rebounds, an assist, a steal, and three blocks as the Generals defeated Centre 76-72. Then, against host Oglethorpe on Sunday, Schleusner totaled 18 points (8-of-12 FG, 2-of-6 FT), 14 rebounds, three assists, a steal, and three blocks in her team’s 89-52 victory. For the week, she averaged 20.0 points, 13.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 steals, and 3.0 blocks while shooting 57.1 percent (16-of-28) from the field, 58.3 percent (7-of-12) from the foul line, and 50.0 percent (1-of-2) from three-point range. For her efforts, Schleusner, who is currently second in NCAA Division III with 41 blocks, was also selected 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 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)
• Week ending Dec. 10: Jordan Oates, Salisbury; Lauren Klieber, Neumann
• Week ending Dec. 17: Bryant Smith, Manchester; Mary Schleusner, Washington and Lee