INDIANAPOLIS (UBSWA) – Calvin Williams IV of the University of St. Thomas (Houston, Texas) and Arieona Rosborough of the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (Belton, Texas) were named the U.S. Basketball Writers Association Division III National Players of the Week for the period ending January 14.
Williams, a 6-0 junior guard from Houston, Texas, helped lead No. 19 (D3hoops.com) St. Thomas to a pair of narrow road victories. On Friday against then-No. 7 Trinity (Texas), he hit the game-winning layup with three seconds remaining to give the Celts a 66-65 victory. Williams finished with 28 points (10-of-21 FG, 5-of-7 FT, 3-of-8 3FG), three rebounds, two assists, and seven steals in the contest. On Sunday at Schreiner, he scored 33 points (13-of-28 FG, 7-of-8 FT), including 23 in the second half, to preserve the 83-82 win. Williams added four rebounds, two assists and four steals in the victory. For the week, he averaged 30.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 5.5 steals while shooting 46.9 percent (23-of-49) from the field, 80.0 percent (12-of-15) from the foul line and 23.1 percent (3-of-13) from three-point range. For his efforts, Williams was also named the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) Player of the Week.
Rosborough, a 5-8 junior guard from Mansfield, Texas, produced a pair of 30-point performances in leading No. 15/17 (D3hoops.com, WBCA) Mary Hardin-Baylor to a pair of road wins. Against then-No. 10/14 (WBCA, D3hoops.com) Hardin-Simmons on Thursday, Rosborough scored 30 points (8-of-19 FG, 13-of-16 FT, 1-of-3 3FG), making 6-of-6 at the free-throw line in the final 31 seconds of overtime as the Crusaders held on for the 93-89 victory. Playing 44 minutes, she also produced 14 rebounds, seven assists, three steals, and a block. Rosborough returned to the court on Saturday and scored a program-record 36 points (9-of-20 FG, 14-of-16 FT, 4-of-7 3FG) while collecting nine rebounds, dishing out six assists, and adding four steals in the 108-96 win at McMurry. For the week, she averaged 33.0 points, 11.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 3.5 steals, and 0.5 blocks while shooting 43.6 percent (17-of-39) from the field, 84.4 percent (27-of-32) from the foul line and 50.0 percent (5-of-10) from three-point range. For her efforts, Rosborough was also selected American Southwest Conference (ASC) Player of the Week.
Each Tuesday, the USBWA is selecting men's and women's Division III National Players of the Week. This week's selection's were delayed a day due to the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday. 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
• Week ending Dec. 31: Davidson Hubbard, Hampden-Sydney; Brianna Fitzgerald, SUNY-New Paltz
• Week ending Jan. 7: Khai Seargeant, Virginia Wesleyan; Mary Schleusner, Washington and Lee
• Week ending Jan. 14: Calvin Williams IV, St. Thomas; Arieona Rosborough, Mary Hardin-Baylor