INDIANAPOLIS (USBWA) – Tommy Griffitts of California Lutheran University (Thousand Oaks, Calif.) and Angelina Kohlwaies of Mount Aloysius College (Cresson, Pa.) were named the U.S. Basketball Writers Association Division III National Players of the Week for the period ending January 26.
Griffitts, a 6-7 senior center from Carlsbad, Calif., helped lead No. 21 (D3hoops.com) California Lutheran to three conference victories last week. In a 98-88 win over Chapman on Monday, Griffitts finished with 15 points (5-of-7 FG, 4-of-5 FT, 1-of-2 3FG), nine rebounds and two assists. In a 78-76 victory at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps on Wednesday, he scored 16 of his 23 points (9-of-15 FG, 3-of-3 FT, 2-of-4 3FG) in the second half (overcoming a seven-point halftime deficit), collected seven rebounds, dished out three assists, and recorded two steals. Then, at Whittier on Saturday, Griffitts posted a double-double with 15 points (7-of-14 FG, 1-of-2 3FG) and 12 rebounds while adding a steal in the Kingsmen’s 83-78 victory. For the week, he averaged 17.7 points, 9.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.0 steals while shooting 58.3 percent (21-of-36) from the field, 87.5 percent (7-of-8) from the foul line and 50.0 percent (4-of-8) from behind the arc. For his efforts, Griffitts was also selected the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) Player of the Week.
Kohlwaies, a 5-9 sophomore guard from Lake Worth, Fla., shot the lights out from far and near in Mount Aloysius’ two conference wins last week. She scored a career-high 26 points (9-of-15 FG, 2-of-2 FT, 6-of-9 3FG) while adding seven rebounds, six assists, three steals, and two blocks in the Mounties’ 78-59 victory at Pitt-Greensburg on Wednesday. Kohlwaies scored 16 in the third quarter following a 27-27 halftime deadlock. Then, on Saturday, she only missed one shot from the field in a 105-77 win over Pitt Bradford, finishing the contest with 25 points (9-of-10 FG, 7-of-8 3FG), five rebounds, five assists, and two steals in only 22 minutes. For the week, she averaged 25.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 2.5 steals, and 1.0 blocks while shooting 72.0 percent (18-of-25) from the field, 100 percent (2-of-2) from the foul line and 76.5 percent (13-of-17) from beyond the arc. For her efforts, Kohlwaies was also chosen the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) 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
• Week ending Dec. 8: Owen Liss, Norwich University; Kendall Harris, Hamilton College
• Week ending Dec. 15: Devon Lewis, California Lutheran University; Jordan Carpenter, Penn State Harrisburg
• Week ending Jan. 5: Felix Kloman, Babson College; Zoe Tomlinson, Colorado College
• Week ending Jan. 12: Curt Heinz, Maine Maritime Academy; Kacie Kranson, University of Scranton
• Week ending Jan. 19: Jacob Reese, Belhaven; Mary Schleusner, Washington & Lee
• Week ending Jan. 26: Tommy Griffitts, California Lutheran; Angelina Kohlwaies, Mount Aloysius