INDIANAPOLIS (UBSWA) – Josh Van Gorp of Central College (Pella, Iowa) and Lauryn Milne of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (La Crosse, Wis.) were named the U.S. Basketball Writers Association Division III National Players of the Week for the period ending January 28.
Van Gorp, a 6-10 senior center from Pella, Iowa, went on a sharpshooting tear as Central posted a pair of road victories last week. In a 91-70 win over Simpson College on Wednesday, he scored 29 points (13-of-17 FG, 3-of-3 FT), collected 10 rebounds and added an assist. Then, on Saturday against then-No. 23 (D3hoops.com) Coe, Van Gorp scored a program-record 48 points (20-of-24 FG, 8-of-9 FT), in the Dutch’s 94-75 victory. In addition to producing the fourth-highest one-game scoring mark in NCAA Division III this season, he grabbed 14 rebounds and dished out two dimes in the contest. For the week, Van Gorp averaged 38.5 points, 12.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists, while shooting 80.5 percent (33-of-41) from the field and 91.7 percent (11-of-12) from the foul line. For his efforts, Van Gorp was also named the American Rivers Conference (ARC) Player of the Week.
Milne, a 5-10 junior guard from Lodi, Wis., produced a pair of double-doubles as Wisconsin-La Crosse won both of its games last week. On Wednesday, against then-unbeaten and No. 4 (D3hoops.com/WBCA) Wisconsin-Whitewater, Milne finished with 22 points (9-of-18 FG, 4-of-4 FT), 11 rebounds and two assists in the Eagles’ 77-67 victory which snapped an eight-game losing streak to the Warhawks. Then, on Saturday at Wisconsin-Platteville, she totaled 14 points (3-of-10 FG, 8-of-8 FT), 11 rebounds and an assist in a 79-64 win. For the week, Milne averaged 18.0 points, 11.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists while shooting 42.9 percent (12-of-28) from the field and 100 percent (12-of-12) from the foul line. For her efforts, Milne was also selected the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) 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
• Week ending Dec. 17: Bryant Smith, Manchester; Mary Schleusner, Washington and Lee
• Week ending Dec. 31: Davidson Hubbard, Hampden-Sydney; Brianna Fitzgerald, SUNY-New Paltz
• Week ending Jan. 7: Khai Seargeant, Virginia Wesleyan; Mary Schleusner, Washington and Lee
• Week ending Jan. 14: Calvin Williams IV, St. Thomas; Arieona Rosborough, Mary Hardin-Baylor
• Week ending Jan. 21: Jalen Overway, Calvin; Caitlyn Scott, Albertus Magnus
• Week ending Jan. 28: Josh Van Gorp, Central College; Lauryn Milne, Wisconsin-La Crosse