Offensive Player of the Week

Zhymani Smith / Sr / Bryn Athyn College / Hampton, Va. / Menchville HS / Florida A&M

Smith led the Lions to their 10th win before Christmas this past week in a resounding 73-42 win over Lycoming. Smith was a force pouring in 27 points, dishing 4 assists, nabbing 3 boards, and swiping 3 steals. 

This is the second Player of the Week award for Smith, who previously won for the week of January 29, 2024, and was a First Team All-United East Skye Division honoree last season. Smith is currently fourth in the United East averaging 17.7 points per game, third with 21 three-point field goals made, and second with 212 total points on the season. 

Defensive Player of the Week

Gigi Parlante / FY / Penn College /Williamsport, Pa. / St. John Neumann

Parlante averaged 14 points on 12-27 (44.4%) shooting and nine rebounds while adding seven steals and a block in a 2-0 week for the Wildcats. Against Centenary, Parlante's 13-points helped force overtime and earn a victory while adding seven rebounds, including five on the defensive end, three steals and a block. In Tuesday night's win against Alfred State, she recorded her eighth double-double of the season after scoring 13 points and 11 rebounds while poking away four steals. 

Parlante's eight double doubles are tied for first in the conference and second in D-III while her 131 total rebounds place her sixth in D-III. This is the third Player of the Week award for Parlante, who previously won for the weeks of November 11, 2024, and December 2, 2024.

Offensive Player of the Week

Trea Keys / Sr / Wilson College / Columbia, Md. / Wilde Lake HS / Howard Community College

Trea Keys had his best three-game stretch of his career as Wilson had a busy week with three games. He posted a career-high 22 points on the road at Mary Washington before dropping 10 against Lebanon Valley in a nail-biting win. He capped 2024 with a 19-point effort against Division II Shippensburg in which Wilson was close throughout the contest. On the week, Keys averaged 17.0 points per game in the three-game week.

This is the first Player of the Week award for Keys who is currently ninth in the United East shooting 40.5% from the three-point line on the season. 

Defensive Player of the Week

Armani Jones / Jr / Wilson College / Chicago, Il. / Christ the King Prep

Jones helped Wilson stay competitive in all three games on the week which included a buzzer-beating win against Lebanon Valley and competitive games at Mary Washington and Division II Shippensburg. In the win against LVC, he posted his fourth double-double of the season with 13 rebounds, all defensive. None were more important than the back end of a missed one-and-one with 7 seconds remaining, driving three-fourths of the court before dishing off the assist for a game-winning three by Winston Raford at the buzzer. He added 10 boards against Mary Washington and eight against Shippensburg that saw the Phoenix threaten to steal wins at both places. 

This is the first Player of the Week award for Jones, who is currently fifth in the United East averaging 8.8 rebounds per game, fourth with 97 total rebounds, and is shooting 82.5% from the free throw line, good for fourth in the league.