INDIANAPOLIS (USBWA) – Lucas Lesko of Wilkes University (Wilkes-Barre, Pa.) and Destiny Matthews of Concordia University (Austin, Texas) were named the Basketball Writers Association Division III National Players of the Week for the period ending November 10.
Lesko, a 6-6 junior forward from Northampton, Pa., opened the season with a pair of outstanding performances as Wilkes won the Bear Bash Tournament Championship at Ursinus College. In the opener on Friday, Lesko scored 26 points (11-of-20 FG, 3-of-1 FT, 1-of-6 3FG), collected 10 rebounds, and added three steals, an assist, and a block in the Colonels’ 63-50 win over Washington & Lee. In the championship game against host Ursinus, he scored a career-high 40 points (13-of-21 FG, 9-of-11 FT, 5-of-7 3FG), including the game-winning three-pointer with four seconds left, in a 100-99 victory. Lesko also had seven rebounds, two assists, a steal, and a block in the contest. For the week, he averaged 33.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 2.0 steals, and 1.0 blocks while shooting 58.5 percent (24-of-41) from the field, 85.7 percent (12-of-14) from the foul line and 46.2 percent (6-of-13) from behind the arc. For his efforts, Lesko was also named the Landmark Conference Player of the Week.
Matthews, a 5-9 graduate forward from Palestine, Texas, established career-highs in both points and rebounds in leading Concordia to a victory in its only game of the week. Playing 36 minutes at home against Lewis & Clark on Sunday, Matthews scored 37 points (15-of-28 FG, 5-of-7 FT, 2-of-9 3FG) in the Tornados’ 79-64 win. She also pulled down 17 rebounds, dished out three assists and added two steals in the game, while her scoring and rebounding totals were the highest registered by a Concordia player since 2014. For her efforts, Matthews was also selected the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) 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 10th 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.
2024-25 USBWA Division III National Players of the Week
• Week ending Nov. 10: Lucas Lesko, Wilkes University; Destiny Matthews, Concordia University (Texas)