INDIANAPOLIS (USBWA) – Lamar Lovelace of Keuka College (Keuka Park, N.Y.) and Mary Schleusner of Washington & Lee University (Lexington, Va.) were named the U.S. Basketball Writers Association Division III National Players of the Week for the period ending January 11.
Lovelace, a 6-2 senior guard from Rochester, N.Y., set new career standards in leading Keuka to a pair of conference wins last week. On Friday, he set the program record with a career-high 41 points (15-of-24 FG, 8-of-8 FT, 3-of-6 3FG) in the Wolves’ 105-100 victory over Russell Sage. Lovelace added nine rebounds, an assist and a steal in the contest. On Sunday, he recorded his first career double-double with 21 points (8-of-18 FG, 4-of-6 FT, 1-of-6 3FG) and 13 rebounds, while adding two assists and two steals in a 77-71 win over Hartwick. For the week, Lovelace averaged 31.0 points, 11.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.5 steals while shooting 54.8 percent (23-of-42) from the field, 85.7 percent (12-of-14) from the foul line and 33.3 percent (4-of-12) from three-point range. For his efforts, Lovelace was also named the Empire 8 Player of the Week.
Schleusner, a 6-1 senior forward from Charlotte, N.C., earned the award for the second time this season following another outstanding week as she led No. 6 (D3hoops.com/WBCA) Washington & Lee to a pair of conference wins. In Wednesday’s 66-43 victory at Randolph, Schleusner finished with 22 points (9-of-13 FG, 4-of-4 FT), 12 rebounds, four assists, three steals, and a block. Then, in the Generals’ 69-52 victory over then-No. 23 (D3hoops.com) Shenandoah, she scored a season-high 36 points (15-of-26 FG, 6-of-8 FT) to go with 17 rebounds, two assists, a steal, and two blocks. For the week, Schleusner averaged 29.0 points, 14.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.0 steals, and 1.5 blocks while shooting 61.5 percent (24-of-39) from the field and 83.3 percent (10-of-12) from the foul line. For her efforts, Schleusner, whose 11 double-doubles are tied for third most in Division III this season, was also selected the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) 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 11th 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.
2025-26 USBWA Division III National Players of the Week
• Week ending Nov. 9: Sam Grieger, University of Wisconsin–La Crosse; Mary Schleusner, Washington & Lee University
• Week ending Nov. 16: Marcus Montagnino, Endicott College; Alexa Charles, Hunter College
• Week ending Nov. 23: Reph Stevenson, DePauw University; Elaina Beckett, McDaniel College
• Week ending Nov. 30: Quamir Ingram, Greensboro College; Caroline Peper, NYU
• Week ending Dec. 7: Joey Ramirez, Concordia University (Texas); Jaycie Christopher, University of Southern Maine
• Week ending Dec. 14: Elijah Kinney, Endicott College; Anna Giannopoulou, Guilford College
• Week ending Jan. 4: Scott Gyimesi, Tufts University; Elyse Warren, Millsaps College
• Week ending Jan. 11: Lamar Lovelace, Keuka College; Mary Schleusner, Washington & Lee University