Talladega, Philander Smith, SUNO, Dillard claim Week 5 HBCUAC Men's Basketball Honors

NEW ORLEANS - Talladega College's Shaun Walker wins Historically Black Colleges and Universities Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) Offensive Player of the Week. Philander Smith University's Raymond Reece takes Defensive Player of the Week. Southern University at New Orleans' Jaylon Hicks takes Freshman of the Week. Dillard University's John Kelly III earns Newcomer of the Week. The men were honored for their performance between November 17-23.

Walker averaged 26 points per game, helping the Tornadoes start HBCUAC play 2-0. He also averaged 4.5 offensive rebounds and three assists per game. He recorded a double-double against Oakwood on Thursday with 24 points and 14 rebounds - with seven on offense. He recorded five assists. On Saturday, Walker put up 28 points, two offensive rebounds and an assist in a victory over Fisk University.

Reece recorded a double-double with 22 points and 16 rebounds, with nine on the defensive end. He also added three steals and a block to lead the Panthers to a 74-71 victory over Tougaloo College. This is Reece's third honor.

Hicks posted 10.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, three assists to help the Knights to two HBCUAC victories. In Thursday's victory over Huston-Tillotson he put up six points and 10 rebounds. On Saturday, he put up 15 points, seven rebounds and four assists. For the week, Hicks shot 41.2 percent from the field and 44.4 from 3-point territory. This is Hicks' second honor.

Kelly averaged 15.3 points per game in three contests, helping Dillard start HBCUAC play with a 2-0 record. In a nonconference game against Louisiana Christian on Tuesday, He scored 22 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Against Paul Quinn College, he tallied 11 points, nine rebounds and two assists. On Saturday, Kelly recorded a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. 

Additional men's basketball weekly nominees: Joshua Barnett (Oakwood), Nicholas Beaird-Kennard (Oakwood), Jordan Bell (Oakwood), Dorian Booker (SUNO), Omari Bryson (Voorhees), Cortez Collins (Wiley), Jordan Ealey (Tougaloo), Rydarius Hill (Voorhees), Brandon Howard (Stillman), Kaleb Jeffries (Fisk), Devin Lewis (Dillard), Isaiah Mayes (Talladega), Caleibria McDonald (Wiley), Josh Price (Stillman), Dasean Sellers (Stillman), Arthur Williams (Talladega), Simeon Williams II (Fisk), Gabriel Wright (Voorhees)

2025-26 Men's Basketball Player of the Week

About the 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), Huston-Tillotson University (TX), Oakwood University (AL), Paul Quinn College (TX), 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 soccer, 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.