INDIANAPOLIS (USBWA) – Billy Ray Barnes III of Dean College (Franklin, Mass.) and Korin Baker of Whitman College (Walla Walla, Wash.) were named the U.S. Basketball Writers Association Division III National Players of the Week for the period ending December 1.
Barnes, a 6-3 junior forward from Engelwood, Calif., became only the third player in NCAA Division III this season to record a triple-double. In Dean’s 101-84 victory over the University of New England last Tuesday, he scored 27 points (9-of-16 FG, 9-of-11 3FT), pulled down 18 rebounds, dished out 11 assists, and added three steals while playing 35 minutes. His performance helped lift the Bulldogs to their best start (7-0) in program history. For his efforts, Barnes was also named the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Player of the Week.
Baker, a 6-0 fifth-year forward from Wauconda, Wash., helped lead No. 14/15 (D3hoops.com, WBCA) to a pair of victories at the UC Santa Cruz Thanksgiving Classic. She played only 18 minutes in Friday’s 94-61 win over La Verne, but still compiled 31 points (13-of-17 FG, 5-of-9 FT), 10 rebounds, an assist, steal, and block. The next day, Baker finished with 22 points (9-of-13 FG, 4-of-6 FT), eight rebounds, two assists, and a block in the Blues’ 73-50 victory over Cal Lutheran. For the week, she averaged 26.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.5 steals, and 1.0 blocks while shooting 73.3 percent (22-of-30) from the field and 60.0 percent (9-of-15) from the foul line. For her efforts, Baker was also named the Northwest Conference 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)
• Week ending Nov. 17: Adam Brazil, Hampden-Sydney College; Mary Schluesner, Washington & Lee University
• Week ending Nov. 24: Octavio Brito, Keene State University; Natalie Gricius, Carroll University
• Week ending Dec. 1: Billy Ray Barnes III, Dean College; Korin Baker, Whitman College