Stephen F. Austin freshman Kaylinn Kemp from the Duncanville, Texas earns Freshman of the Week honors after posting two highly productive performances in consecutive games.
In Monday’s matchup at East Texas A&M on December 29, the 5’9 freshman played 34 minutes and finished with 22 points, six rebounds, and eight assists, while also recording a block and a steal. She limited mistakes to one turnover and shot 8-for-13 from the field, including 50 percent from three-point range.
Kemp followed with another efficient and similar outing on Wednesday, December 31, tallying 24 points, five rebounds, and six assists, along with three steals and one block. She once again committed just one turnover and matched her shooting line from the previous game, going 8-for-13 from the floor and 50 percent from beyond the arc.
Across the two-game stretch, Kemp totaled 46 points, 11 rebounds, and 14 assists, while adding four steals and two blocks. She recorded only two turnovers combined and shot 61.5 percent from the field (16-for-26), 50 percent from three-point range (3-for-6), and 78.6 percent at the free-throw line (11-for-14).
Northern Colorado’s 5’8 sophomore Heather Baymon is named Sixth Player of the Week after delivering strong production off the bench in two games this week.
Baymon saw limited action during her freshman season at Texas State, appearing in 17 contests before joining Northern Colorado, and has since taken on an expanded role as a reserve. In Thursday’s January 1 matchup against Montana State, she played 33 minutes off the bench and finished with 26 points, three rebounds, and two assists, while also recording five steals. She shot 10-for-22 from the field and 6-for-11 from three-point range, committing just two turnovers.
She followed with another impactful performance on Saturday, January 3 against Montana, again coming off the bench in Northern Colorado’s 77–58 victory. In 30 minutes, Baymon scored 29 points, added five rebounds, and did not commit a turnover. She was efficient from the perimeter, shooting 7-for-13 from three-point range, and finished 10-for-18 from the field overall.
Across the two-game stretch, Baymon totaled 55 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and five steals, while limiting mistakes to just two turnovers. She shot 50 percent from the field (20-for-40) and 54 percent from three-point range (13-for-24), earning recognition as one of the week’s most productive players off the bench.
Murray State’s 6’2 junior Sharnecce Currie-Jelks is named Defensive Player of the Week following a dominant performance on the defensive end in a double-overtime victory.
In Friday’s January 2 win over Illinois State, Currie-Jelks recorded three steals, five blocks, and 22 rebounds, including 18 defensive rebounds, anchoring Murray State’s defense in the extended contest. Her rebounding and rim protection played a central role in limiting second-chance opportunities during the two overtime periods.
Currie-Jelks began her collegiate career at UT Martin, where she averaged 15 points and seven rebounds per game while shooting 54 percent from the field across 28 appearances. She later transferred to Indiana, where her role was more limited, before continuing her career at Murray State.
Now in her junior season, Currie-Jelks has emerged as a consistent defensive presence for the Racers, using her size and activity to impact games on the glass and around the rim. Her performance against Illinois State exemplified her ability to influence outcomes through defensive production, earning her Defensive Player of the Week honors.
Georgia Tech sophomore Talayah Walker is named both Offensive Player of the Week and Player of the Week after producing two statistically significant performances during the week.
In Georgia Tech’s overtime victory over Notre Dame, Walker recorded 33 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists, including six offensive rebounds, while adding one steal and one block. She shot 10-for-17 from the field and 12-for-14 from the free-throw line.
She followed with another double-double on Sunday against SMU, finishing with 30 points and 11 rebounds, along with two assists, seven steals, and two blocks. Walker shot 9-for-13 from the field and 11-for-12 from the free-throw line in the contest.
Across the two-game stretch, Walker totaled 63 points, 21 rebounds (eight offensive), and eight assists, while also recording eight steals and three blocks. She shot 88.5 percent from the free-throw line (23-for-26) and 63.3 percent from the field (19-for-30), earning recognition as the week’s top offensive performer and overall selection.
