INDIANAPOLIS (UBSWA) – Jaquan Adams of Principia College (Elsah, Ill.) and Brianna Fitzgerald of SUNY New Paltz (New Paltz, N.Y.) were named the U.S. Basketball Writers Association Division III National Players of the Week for the period ending February 4.
Adams, a 6-3 senior forward from Bethalto, Ill., had an outstanding week as Principia split its two home games. In a 113-70 win over Greenville on Tuesday, he tied a school record with 49 points (20-of-26 FG, 9-of-12 FT), the fourth-highest one-game total in NCAA Division III this season. Adams completed a triple-double in the contest by adding 17 rebounds, 10 assists, and four steals in the Panthers’ victory. Then, on Saturday in an 83-69 loss to Webster, he finished with 30 points (10-of-20 FG, 10-of-12 FT), nine rebounds and two assists. For the week, Adams averaged 39.5 points, 13.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 2.0 steals while shooting 65.2 percent (30-of-46) from the field and 79.2 percent (19-of-24) from the foul line. For his efforts, Adams was also named the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) Player of the Week.
Fitzgerald, a 5-10 senior guard/forward from Dix Hills, N.Y., is being honored by the USBWA for the second time this season (also for week ending Dec. 31). Last week, she helped New Paltz (Receiving Votes, D3hoops.com) post three victories by averaging a double-double and producing one triple-double. Against SUNY Oswego on Tuesday, Fitzgerald totaled 18 points (8-of-15 FG, 2-of-2 FT), nine rebounds, five assists, two steals, and three blocks in a 54-44 win. Then, on Friday vs. SUNY Brockport, she produced the program’s second-ever triple-double with 16 points (7-of-14 FG, 2-of-2 FT), 11 rebounds, 10 assists, five steals, and two blocks in the Hawks’ 75-52 victory. Fitzgerald capped the week with 30 points (8-of-16 FG, 13-of-20 FT, 1-of-2 3FG), 11 rebounds, two assists, five steals, and three blocks in a 66-59 win over SUNY Geneseo. For the week, she averaged 21.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 4.0 steals, and 2.7 blocks while shooting 51.1 percent (23-of-45) from the field, 70.8 percent (17-of-24) from the foul line, and 25.0 percent (1-of-4) from three-point range. For her efforts, Fitzgerald was also selected the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) 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
• 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
• Week ending Jan. 21: Jalen Overway, Calvin; Caitlyn Scott, Albertus Magnus
• Week ending Jan. 28: Josh Van Gorp, Central College; Lauryn Milne, Wisconsin-La Crosse
• Week ending Feb. 4: Jaquan Adams, Principia; Brianna Fitzgerald, SUNY New Paltz