Virgin Islands’ Phillips, SUNO duo claim Week 14 HBCUAC MBB Weekly Honors

NEW ORLEANS - February 3, 2025 - University of the Virgin Islands men's basketball player Amayoa'ah Phillips wins Historically Black Colleges and Universities Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) Offensive Player and Newcomer of the Week. Southern University at New Orleans athletes Jamal Gibson garners Defensive Player of the Week and Donte Briggs claims Freshman of the Week. The athletes were recognized for their performances between January 27 and February 2.

Phillips takes home his fourth weekly honor after scoring 30 or more points in three games last week. He averaged 33 points per game, shot 63.6 from the field and 44.4 percent from 3-point territory. Phillips scored a season-high of 35 points against Dillard on Saturday. He ranks second in the conference with 22.8 points per game.

Gibson dominated on the glass for his 12th weekly award. He averaged 16 rebounds per game with 13 on the defensive end and 5.5 blocks, leading the Knights to two victories - including Tougaloo College, who is contending for the HBCUAC regular season title. Gibson continues to lead the nation with 15.9 rebounds, 11.5 defensive rebounds per game and 265 defensive rebounds.

Briggs garners his fourth weekly award. He put up 15 points and seven assists. In Saturday's victory over Tougaloo College, Briggs hit three key 3-pointers and shot 75 percent from beyond the arc.

Additional men's basketball weekly nominees: Willie Anderson (Tougaloo), Jordan Bell (Oakwood), Malachi Chavis (Talladega), Keshawn Evans (Voorhees), Rodney Felton (Tougaloo), Calvin Finch Jr. (Stillman), Jaxon Hampton (Philander Smith), Umar Lawson (Voorhees), Chad Molloy (Virgin Islands), Bentravin Phillips (Dillard), Raymond Reece (Philander Smith), Lamont Sams (Talladega), Shaun Walker (Talladega), Armond Williams (Dillard), Amorey Womack (Philander Smith)

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.