INDIANAPOLIS (USBWA) – Jordan Oates of Salisbury University (Salisbury, Md.) and Lauren Klieber of Neumann University (Aston, Pa.) were named the U.S. Basketball Writers Association Division III National Players of the Week for the week ending December 10.
Oates, a 6-6 senior forward from Hanover, Md., averaged a near 20-20 double-double as Salisbury won both of its games last week. He scored 21 points (8-of-12 FG, 4-of-5 FT, 1-of-2 3FG) in the Sea Gulls’ 78-72 victory at Lancaster Bible on Wednesday. He added 19 rebounds, two assists, two steals, and two blocks in the contest. In Saturday’s 80-74 victory over Gettysburg, Oates posted a 20-20 double-double with a season-high 25 points (9-of-19 FG, 4-of-7 FT, 3-of-9 3FG) and a career-high 20 rebounds. He scored 13 in the second half as Salisbury overcame a 10-point deficit, while also contributing three assists and a block in the game. For the week, Oates averaged 23.0 points, 19.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.5 blocks while shooting 54.8 percent (17-of-31) from the field, 66.7 percent (8-of-12) from the foul line, and 36.4 percent (4-of-11) from three-point range. For his efforts, Oates was also named the Coast-To-Coast (C2C) Athletic Conference Player of the Week.
Klieber, a 5-9 junior forward from Malvern, Pa., averaged a double-double in leading Neumann to three victories. She opened the week on Monday with 14 points (6-of-15 FG, 2-of-7 3FG), nine rebounds, two assists, seven steals, and two blocks as the Knights defeated Wilkes, 65-47. Then, on Wednesday, Klieber scored a season-high 31 points (11-of-21 FG, 4-of-5 FT, 5-of-9 3FG), collected 11 rebounds, and added three assists and three steals in a 74-52 win at Penn State Brandywine. She capped the week with another 31-point performance (13-20 FG, 2-of-4 FT, 3-of-4 3FG), including 15 in the fourth quarter, while adding 12 rebounds and a steal in a 66-64 comeback win over Albright on Saturday. For the week, Klieber averaged 25.3 points, 10.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 3.7 steals, and 0.7 blocks while shooting 53.6 percent (30-of-56) from the field, 66.7 percent (6-of-9) from the foul line, and 50.0 percent (10-of-20) from three-point land. For her efforts, Klieber was also selected the Atlantic East 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 ninth 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.
2023-24 USBWA Division III National Players of the Week
• Week ending Dec. 3: Jeff Hunter, Keene State; Natalie Anderson, Trinity (Texas)
• Week ending Dec. 10: Jordan Oates, Salisbury; Lauren Klieber, Neumann