Senior of the Week
Forward Douglas Wilson South Dakota State
We have mentioned on the podcast recently that the former Summit League Player of the Year seems to be back. This week that showed. Against high level competition in the Crossover Classic Wilson was a force. Wilson averaged 18.7 points, and 6.7 rebounds, as the Jackrabbits had two impressive wins against Nevada and George Mason. Wilson is starting to show why he is in the conversation as one of the best players in the Summit League.
Others receiving votes
Rocky Kreuser North Dakota State
Riley Miller St. Thomas
Evan Gilyard Kansas City
Past winners
Wk 1 Rocky Kreuser North Dakota State
Wk 2 Anders Nelson St. Thomas
Junior of the Week
Guard Max Abmas Oral Roberts
Every Summit League fan and frankly most of the nation remembers the Max Abmas magic of last season. Abmas had an uncharacteristic cold shooting start to the season, but I think it’s fair to say he has put that behind him. Abmas averaged 26 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists this week. This included a 29 point performance against a Big 12 opponent in Oklahoma State. As a person who had an opportunity to watch that game live, it was high level entertainment just to watch the amazement on the faces of Oklahoma State fans as Abmas put on a special show.
Others receiving votes
Trenton Massner Western Illinois
Kruz Perrot-Hunt South Dakota
Past Winners
Wk 1 Trenton Massner Western Illinois
Wk 2 Caleb Nero North Dakota
Sophomore of the Week
Guard Noah Freidel South Dakota State
The South Dakota State Sophomore guards have dominated this category this season and Jackrabbit fans have to be excited by both the current prospects and the future with these two having still multiple years of eligibility remaining. Freidel takes the Sophomore of the week award for the second straight week. Freidel continued to be a force on the offensive end, averaging 22 pts, 4 rebounds, and 1.3 assists.
Others receiving votes
Baylor Scheierman South Dakota State
Hunter Goodrick South Dakota
Tsotne Tsartsidze North Dakota
Past winners
Wk 1 Baylor Scheierman South Dakota State
Wk 2 Noah Freidel South Dakota State
Freshmen of the Week
Forward Grant Nelson North Dakota State
It was an incredibly tight race between Nelson and Guard Paul Bruns of North Dakota. While both are deserving, ultimately Nelson took the crown. Nelson was fantastic in two North Dakota State wins. Nelson averaged 14.5 points and an impressive 7.5 rebounds this week. Nelson continues to prove those who thought he was due for a breakout super freshman season correct.
Others who received votes
Paul Bruns North Dakota
Past Winners
Wk 1 Grant Nelson North Dakota State
Wk 2 Tevin Smith Denver
Defensive player of the Week
Forward Grant Nelson North Dakota State
In winning this award Nelson becomes the first player to grab two awards in the same week. It also shows that while Summit League fans love what Nelson can do scoring and rebounding the basketball, it’s what he does on the Defensive end that makes him such a well rounded player. Nelson averaged a robust 3 blocks per game in North Dakota State’s two wins and also grabbed 3 offensive rebounds in both contests.
Others receiving votes
Deshang Weaver Oral Roberts
Tsotne Tsartsidze North Dakota
Mason Archambault South Dakota
Past Winners
Wk 1 Francis Lacis Oral Roberts
Wk 2 Dezmond McKinney North Dakota State