LATHAM, N.Y. - The United East conference has announced its Athletes of the Week for January 26, 2026. Today will include Players of the Week from men's and women's basketball as well as men's volleyball.
This week’s selections included contests through Sunday, January 25. A total of six student-athletes from five different member institutions were recognized for their performances.
Men’s Volleyball
Offensive Player of the Week
Braden Escover / FR / Lancaster Bible College / Queens, N.Y. / William-Cullen Bryant
Escover averaged 10 kills a match over a three match period in which the Chargers went 2-1. In the week opener against Wilkes, the first year outside dominated with 18 kills. He'd follow that up with seven kills in a tough loss to #4 Southern Virginia and then picked up five more in a win over Bridgewater. Escover made the most of his attempts, hitting at a clip of .333 on the week. He'd also pick up an ace and 12 digs over the nine sets played
This is Escover's first ever Player of the Week nod.
Defensive Player of the Week
Luke McBrine / SO / Gallaudet University / Weymouth, Mass.
Gallaudet University's Luke McBrine was a menace upfront for the Bison this past Friday as the 6-foot-4 middle hitter recorded 11 blocks in two matches at home in the Field House. McBrine bested his previous career-high of four blocks in a match with five blocks against Lynchburg and six blocks against Penn St.-Altoona. In both of those matches he had three block assists with the other blocks coming by himself (solo). He had a strong hitting percentage at .474 as he tallied 11 kills to begin the season. McBrine had six kills and six blocks (three solo) in a three-set loss to Penn St.-Altoona. He followed that up with a five-kill and five-block (two solo) against Lynchburg in a four-set loss, 3-1.
This is McBrine's first ever Player of the Week nod.
Men’s Basketball
Offensive Player of the Week
Marlon Lewis / JR / Notre Dame of Maryland University / Havre de Grace, Md. / Havre de Grace
Lewis was a main contributer on offense as the Gator's went 1-1 in a week with two conference contests. The junior notched a double-double in the narrow win over Wilson, scoring 33 points while also piling up 15 boards. He'd follow that with a 22-point performance in the loss to Keystone this past weekened. The forward finished the week averaging 27.5 points and 10 boards while shooting 59% from the field. He'd also throw in a trio of assists.
This is Lewis' first ever Player of the Week nod.
Defensive Player of the Week
Armani Jones / SR / Wilson College / Chicago, Ill. / Christ the King
Jones led the Phoenix to a split week as they almost pulled the upset over Notre Dame before defeating Gallaudet. Against the Gators he pulled down nine rebounds while making four steals and two blocks. He added eight more rebounds while making two more steals in a win against the Bison. He was solid offensively with an average of 25.0 points with 27 against Notre Dame and 23 against the Bison.
This is Jones' fourth weekly accolade of the season and his sixth all time (12/01/26 x2, 11/24/25, 02/10/25, 12/23/24).
Women’s Basketball
Offensive Player of the Week
Amani Watts / JR / Notre Dame of Maryland University / Severn, Md. / Old Mill
Watts was all over the court as she helped the Gators pick up a pair of key conference victories this week. The junior notched a double-double in the midweek win over Wilson, socring 22 and picking up 14 rebounds. She then collected another double-double in the win over Keystone as she scored 23 points and 13 boards. Watts was on fire from the field, going 16-21 (76%). She also recorded three assists in both contests.
This is Watts' first accolade of the year and her sixth all time (1/15/24, 1/8/24, 1/2/24, 12/11/23, 12/4/23).
Defensive Player of the Week
Jazmyn Kemp / SO / Penn State Brandywine / Aberdeen, Md. / Aberdeen
Jazmyn Kemp totaled 24 rebounds, eight blocked shots and four steals for Brandywine in two games last week. She blocked four shots in both games, while tallying 16 rebounds and three steals against Keystone. Kemp also tallied four blocks, eight rebounds and a steal against Wilmington. She netted 15 points in the win over Keystone.
This is Kemp's first ever weekly accoalde.
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Instagram - gounitedeast | Twitter - @GoUnitedEast
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The United East boasts 14 NCAA Division III full member institutions which include: Cairn University, Cedar Crest College, Gallaudet University, Keystone College, Lancaster Bible College, Notre Dame of Maryland University, Penn College, Penn State Abington, Penn State Berks, Penn State Brandywine, Penn State Harrisburg, St. Mary's College of Maryland, University of Valley Forge, and Wilson College. For more information, please visit gounitedeast.com.