SUNO's Gibson, Briggs repeat, UVI's Phillips claims Newcomer of the Week

NEW ORLEANS - January 13, 2025 - Southern University at New Orleans men's basketball athlete Jamal Gibson repeats as Historically Black Colleges and Universities Athletic Conference Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week. Donte Briggs wins his second straight Freshman of the Week award. University of Virgin Islands athlete Amayoa'ah Phillips takes home his second Newcomer of the Week award. The athletes were honored for their performances from January 6-12, the conference announced on Monday.

Gibson averaged 29 points and 16 rebounds per game in three contests. He increased his double-double streak to 49 games. With his 37 points against Fisk University on January 6, he surpassed 1,000 career points. His 17 points, 19 rebounds with 16 on defense, three steals and two blocks led the Knights to a victory over Voorhees on January 7. Gibson picks up his ninth and 10th weekly honors and leads the nation with 436 points, 292 rebounds, 15.3 rebounds per game and 189 field goals. 

Briggs put up 16 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals in three games to claim his third honor. His most productive game was on Saturday with 13 points, three assists and two rebounds against the University of the Virgin Islands. 

Phillips averaged 29.5 points per game in two contests last week. He scored a season-high 33 points against Talladega College on Monday. He followed with a 26-point performance to lift the Buccaneers to an 89-87 victory over SUNO on Saturday. Phillips shot 70.8 percent from the field. He ranks second in the HBCUAC and 17th in the NAIA with 21.1 points per game.

Additional men's basketball weekly nominees: JaMarkus Alexander (Oakwood), Khalif Allim (Dillard), Michael Ashley (Fisk), Kailon Benton-Hamilton (Fisk), Andre' Brunt (Tougaloo), Tory Cargo (Dillard), Cali Davis (Wilberforce), Calvin Finch Jr. (Stillman), Tayvion Fisher (Wiley), Gavin Harris (SUNO), Chase Jackson (Oakwood), Jalil Langston (Virgin Islands), Jesse Olverson Jr. (Wilberforce), Antonio Patterson (Tougaloo), Joshua Price (Stillman), Taj Toney (Wiley), Armond Williams (Dillard)

2024-25 Men's Basketball Players of the Week

-HBCUAC-

About HBCU Athletic Conference
The HBCU Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) is the only HBCU conference in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The HBCUAC membership includes Dillard University (LA), Fisk University (TN), Oakwood University (AL), Philander Smith University (AR), Rust College (MS), Southern University at New Orleans (LA), Stillman College (AL), Talladega College (AL), Tougaloo College (MS), University of the Virgin Islands (St. Thomas), Voorhees University (SC), Wilberforce University (OH), and Wiley University (TX). HBCUAC sponsors championships in men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's track and field, women's volleyball, softball, and baseball. In 2022, the HBCUAC secured the largest media rights deal in conference and NAIA history, signing a multimillion-dollar deal with Urban Edge Network. On July 1, 2024, the conference rebranded from the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC) to the HBCU Athletic Conference, marking a new era for the conference that embodies the makeup of its membership. For more information, visit hbcuac.org.