Senior of the Week
Guard Tommy Bruner
Denver
As the season’s first month is drawing to a close, we get a chance to reflect on the incredible start to the season Tommy Bruner has had. In fact, it’s hard to envision a better start for the Denver guard. All he’s done so far is lead all of Division 1 basketball in scoring. The 5th year guard in his second year at Denver has become an even more explosive scorer. For the week Bruner averaged an amazing 29 points per game. He also contributed with 4.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game. This week Bruner was the unanimous selection for Senior of the Week.
Past winners
Week 1 Lahat Thioune South Dakota
Week 2 Issac McBride Oral Roberts
Junior of the Week
Guard Zeke Mayo
South Dakota State
Mayo receives his first Junior of the Week honor in week 3 but it’s almost certain not to be his last. The preseason player of the year has played at that level all season but has some stiff competition in the junior ranks this year. This week he held off Touko Tainamo in the voting to earn the honor. This week Mayo averaged a double-double with 19.5 points and 10 rebounds per game. Mayo also contributed 4.5 assists. What a well-rounded contribution from Mayo this week.
Others receiving votes
Touko Tainamo Denver
Past winners
Week 1 Touko Tanamo Denver
Week 2 Frankie Fidler Omaha
Sophomore of the Week
Guard Treyson Eaglestaff
Demari Wheeler-Thomas would be getting the not quite award this season if there was such a thing. For the second week in a row, Wheeler-Thomas narrowly lost out on the Sophomore of the Week. This week’s winner is Treyson Eaglestaff of the North Dakota Fighting Hawks. Not only did Eaglestaff put up big numbers but his team was undefeated this week too. For the week Eaglestaff averaged 16 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.6 assists.
Others receiving votes
Demari Wheeler-Thomas North Dakota State
Past Winners
Week 1 BJ Omot North Dakota
Week 2 Kendall Blue St. Thomas
Freshmen of the Week
Guard Kalen Garry
South Dakota State
Garry was thrust into the starting lineup surprisingly after the Matt Mims injury in the preseason. Garry has handled himself great in that role. Garry has been solid scoring the ball and rebounding at a high level. Several players received votes this week but Garry held off the competition on his way to the award. For the week Garry averaged 8 points and 5.5 rebounds. On the defensive end, he contributed 1.5 steals per game.
Others receiving votes
Grant Stubblefield Omaha
Jevon Hill South Dakota
Carter Bjerke St. Thomas
Past winners
Week 1 Isaac Bruns South Dakota
Week 2 DeAndre Craig Denver
Defensive Player of the Week
Forward Deshang Weaver
Oral Roberts
We may need to start renaming this award after Weaver. Three weeks into the season, three defensive Player of the Week awards, all received by Weaver. This is after for much of his career Weaver was known far more for his offense than his defense. Weaver is far and away the blocks leader in the Summit League early this season and averaged 3 blocks a game this week. However, that’s not the only spot he is contributing on the defensive end. This week he also averaged 2 steals and 2 offensive rebounds per game.
Others receiving votes
Allen David Mukeba Kansas City
Past Winners
Week 1 Deshang Weaver Oral Roberts
Week 2 Deshang Weaver Oral Roberts