MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Deniya Thornton of Loyola was named NAIA Women’s Basketball Offensive Player of the Week and Gil Gonzalez of Brewton-Parker Christian was named NAIA Men’s Basketball Defensive Player of the Week, the national office announced.
The award is based on performance for the week of Jan. 5-11.
Defensive: Gil Gonzalez (Brewton-Parker Christian – JR – F – Aurora, Colo.)
- In a 3-0 SSAC week, Gonzalez averaged 12 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.7 blocks and 1.3 steals per game
- He finished with 11 points, six boards, five blocks and three steals in a win over Life and added 10 rebounds and four blocks v. ABAC
Offensive: Deniya Thornton (Loyola – JR – G – New Roads, La.)
- This is her second NAIA POTW honor after earning defensive recognition last season
- In a 2-0 conference week, Thornton averaged 28.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, 3.5 steals, 1.5 assists and 1.0 blocks per game, while shooting 55% overall and 80% from the FT line
- She tallied 29 points, nine boards, six steals and one block v. Mobile and 28 points, 10 rebounds and one steal v. Faulkner
2025-26 Winners
Kameron Johnson, Loyola: NAIA Men’s Basketball Offensive Player of the Week
Andre Ferreira, Faulkner: NAIA Men’s Soccer Defensive Player of the Week
Jamie Barry, William Carey: NAIA Men’s Soccer Defensive Player of the Week
Ben McFadden, Dalton State: NAIA Men’s Golfer of the Week
Sara Burger, Dalton State: NAIA Women’s Golfer of the Week
Sacha Millward, Life: NAIA Women’s Soccer Offensive Player of the Week
Louis Hester, UT Southern: NAIA Men’s Soccer Defensive Player of the Week
Sara Burger, Dalton State: NAIA Women’s Golfer of the Week
Lauren Entremont, William Carey: NAIA Women’s Soccer Offensive Player of the Week
Jamie Barry, William Carey: NAIA Men’s Soccer Defensive Player of the Week