Wiley, Huston-Tillotson, Talladega claim opening HBCUAC Women's Basketball Awards
NEW ORLEANS - October 28, 2025 - Wiley University transfer Brandy Jones claims Historically Black Colleges and Universities Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) Women's Basketball Offensive Player and Newcomer of the Week. Huston-Tillotson University's Wilashia Burleson earns Defensive Player of the Week. Talladega College's Camille Files garners Freshman of the Week. The women were honored for their performance between October 20-26, the conference announced on Tuesday.
Jones impressed in her Lady Wildcat debut with 25 points. She shot 6-for-10 from 3-point territory. Three of them came in the first quarter, which helped Wiley build a double-digit lead in a 92-60 rout over Texas College for their 2025 Homecoming Game.
Burleson recorded a double-double against College of Biblical Studies with 25 points and 15 rebounds. Twelve of her rebounds were on the defensive end. She also added four blocks in the 76-38 laugher.
Files contributed seven points and three assists in her collegiate debut. She shot 75 percent from the field in the Tornadoes' 82-44 triumph over Point University.
Additional women's basketball weekly nominees: Olympia Chaney (Talladega), Asia Cochran (Wilberforce), Lania Early (Wilberforce), Saniya Keys (Oakwood), Ceara Myers (Talladega), Jessica Nerestant (Wiley), Miracle Thomas (Philander Smith), Kiersten Usher (Talladega)
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.