WACO, Texas (Dec. 22, 2025) – Congratulations to Emareyon McDonald from LSU Shreveport and Naheim Northern from North American University (Texas) for winning the eighth set of RRAC Men's Hoops Players of the Week awards for the dates Dec. 15-21. 

RRAC Offensive Player of the Week – Emareyon McDonald – No. 25 LSU Shreveport

Junior guard Emareyon McDonald averaged 20 points per game for the week, with his standout night being against Southwest (N.M.). He dropped 31 points in the 111-63 win over the Mustangs. McDonald led his team to a nonconference 94-88 win over Florida Memorial, where he scored 15 points and added five assists. In the North Texas-Dallas 103-71 win, he scored 14 points and added five rebounds, two assists, and a steal.

McDonald is second on his team with 198 points for 16.5 ppg.

The Pilots are ranked No. 25 in the NAIA Men's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 poll. They are 10-3 overall and 7-0 in conference.

Additional nominees: EJ McQuillan from LSU Alexandria, DaRyan Williams from UNTD, Jamarric Hammond from NAU, Deovaunta Williams from Texas A&M-Texarkana, Tomario Thomas Jr. from Louisiana Christian, Arthur Celestin Jr. from Our Lady of the Lake (Texas)

RRAC Defensive Player of the Week – Naheim Northern – North American 

Naheim Northern recorded 12 blocks last week including a school record total of eight in a 73-54 victory over Our Lady of the Lake University (Texas). The 6-8 junior forward added seven rebounds in each of his team's wins against Texas A&M-San Antonio (82-71) and OLLU. He also chipped in three steals and 17 points for the week.

Northern leads his team with 94 points for 13.4 ppg. He also leads with 60 rebounds and 16 blocks.

The Stallions are 6-4 overall and 2-3 in conference.

Additional nominees: TJ James from LSUA, Hayden Brittingham from LSUS, Daryl Houston from TAMUT, Justice Kelly from LCU, Jaydin Morin-Bishop from OLLU.

RRAC Notebook:

• LSUA junior guard EJ McQuillan led the Generals to a pair of comeback wins over Jarvis Christian (Texas) (68-59) and Texas College (88-75). He led the team in scoring in both games with 21 points and 25 points.
• UNTD senior guard DaRyan Williams put together his best road performances this past week against top competition in the RRAC. He notched a double-double, 13 points and 12 rebounds, against TAMUT. He followed that up with 14 points at No. 25 LSUS. Williams combined for three steals and blocks as well.
• NAU junior guard Jamarric Hammond scored 15 points in his team's 82-71 win over Texas A&M-San Antonio and 14 points in his team's 73-54 victory over OLLU.
• TAMUT senior guard Deovaunta Williams sparked the Eagles' offense with two double-digit nights to propel TAMUT to 6-1 in conference play heading into the break. He dished out four assists, snagged two steals, had a block, and seven boards on the week.
• LCU sophomore guard Tomario Thomas Jr. averaged 21 points per game on a 1-1 week for the Wildcats. He scored a career-high 31 points, nearly tripling his previous career high of 11 points, in Saturday's win at JCU. He hit 57.9 percent from beyond the three-point arc in the two games, including 61.5 percent from deep against the Bulldogs.
• OLLU senior Arthur Celestin Jr. scored 20 points in his team's 90-78 loss to Xavier (LA) and 73-54 loss to NAU.
• LSUA junior guard TJ James contributed 14 rebounds, two assists, and two blocks in his team's 68-59 win over JCU and 88-75 victory over TC.
• LSUS senior forward Hayden Brittingham finished the week with two double-doubles as the Pilots went 3-0 for the week. He averaged 11 rebounds and two blocks a game. Against Florida Memorial, he clocked 24 points and 15 rebounds.
• TAMUT senior guard Daryl Houston snagged 19 rebounds in the Eagles' two victories last week, securing a double-double in their victory over UNTD. He also tallied nine steals and one block in the two games while scoring 26 points on the week.
• LCU senior forward Justice Kelly added 14 rebounds, three assists, two steals, and a block in his team's 65-63 loss to TC and 91-84 win over JCU.
• OLLU junior Jaydin Morin-Bishop tallied 10 rebounds, two assists, and five steals in his team's 90-78 loss to XULA and 73-54 loss to NAU.

2025 RRAC Men's Hoops Weekly Selections:

This week in the RRAC: