MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The SSAC announced the 2025-26 SSAC Women’s Basketball Players of the Week. Alissa O’Dell of Loyola was named SSAC Women’s Basketball Offensive Player of the Week and Ruthie Smith of Faulkner was named SSAC Women’s Basketball Defensive Player of the Week. The awards are for the week of Jan. 12-18.
Offensive: Alissa O’Dell (Loyola – JR – F – Zachary, La.)
- This is her second-career weekly honor
- In a 3-0 week for the Wolf Pack, O’Dell averaged 22.3 points and 8.3 rebounds per game, while shooting 58% from the field and 83% from the charity stripe
- She tallied a career-high 32 points on 12-of-16 shooting in a win over ABAC and capped the week with 21 points on 8-of-12 shooting v. Thomas
Defensive: Ruthie Smith (Faulkner – JR – F – Rogersville, Ala.)
- This is her fifth-career weekly honor and fourth defensive honor
- Smith averaged 17.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.5 blocks and 2.0 steals per game in a pair of conference wins
- She had 12 defensive boards, three steals and three blocks in a win over Brewton-Parker Christian
Previous Winners (Offensive, Defensive)
Week 1: Shakiria Chaney (ABAC), Shaneal Corpuz (William Carey)
Week 2: Ashley Dickey (UT Southern), Silkiari Vazquez-Troche (UT Southern)
Week 3: Silkiari Vazquez-Troche (UT Southern), Shaneal Corpuz (William Carey)
Week 4: Ramie Reid (UT Southern), LaTarius Montgomery (Thomas)
Week 5: Kennedy Collins (Thomas), LaTarius Montgomery (Thomas)
Week 6: Lamaria Jones (Mobile), Deniya Thornton (Loyola)
Week 7: Alissa O’Dell (Loyola), LaTarius Montgomery (Thomas)
Week 8: Lauren Smith (UT Southern), Ruthie Smith (Faulkner)
Week 9: Reese Riddle (ABAC), Shaneal Corpuz (William Carey)
Week 10: Ashley Dickey (UT Southern), Silkiari Vazquez-Troche (UT Southern)
Week 11: Deniya Thornton (Loyola), Deniya Thornton (Loyola)