SUNO duo, Fisk's Cockrill III win Final 2024-25 HBCUAC MBB Weekly Honors

NEW ORLEANS - February 24, 2025 - Southern University at New Orleans men's basketball player Jamal Gibson claims Historically Black Colleges and Universities Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week. Donte Briggs takes home Freshman of the Week. Fisk University's Doyel Cockrill III garners Newcomer of the Week. The men were honored for their performances between February 17-23, the conference announced on Monday.

Gibson won his 14th and 15th HBCUAC Weekly honors. He posted his 54th consecutive double-dobule with 25 points and 14 rebounds in an 82-78 victory over Xavier University of Louisiana. He hit 10 field goals and contributed four assists. Twelve of his 14 rebounds were on defense. He also added four blocks. Gibson's performance helped the Knights beat the Gold Rush for the first time since 2016.

Briggs picks up his fifth weekly honor. He scored 15 points - hitting four of six shots, including 3-for-4 from 3-point territory. Briggs hit a jumper and a pair of free throws that helped SUNO seal the win and their best record since 2013-14, as they finished the regular season 11-16.

Cockrill recorded a double-double with 21 points and 11 assists in the regular season finale against Stillman College on Thursday. Eighteen of his points came in the second half. He shot a season-high 63.6 percent from the field. This is Cockrill's ninth weekly honor.

Additional men's basketball weekly nominees: JaMarkus Alexander (Oakwood), Michael Ashley (Fisk), Carson Badgett (Oakwood), Jalen Bates (Wiley), Tory Cargo (Dillard), Malachi Chavis (Talladega), Cali Davis (Wilberforce), Eduardo Diaz (Wilberforce), Calvin Finch Jr. (Stillman), Nekthy James (Wilberforce), Justin McNelkan (Fisk), Brenden Lankford-Johnson (Stillman), Amayoa'ah Phillips (Virgin Islands), Bentravin Phillips (Dillard), Demarius Pitts (Wiley), Lamont Sams (Talladega)

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.