PORTLAND, Ore. – The final Great Northwest Athletic Conference Player of the Week awards of the 2025 calendar year were announced on Monday, as the conference’s basketball teams finished up the non-conference portion of their schedules last week.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Capri Sims – Central Washington University
Third-career player of the week, first this season.
Sims led the Wildcats to three wins last week, putting together three all-around strong performances to help CWU improve to 10-1 on the campaign. Sims committed zero turnovers in 81 minutes played across the three contests, while finding ways to contribute both offensively and defensively. Sims averaged 16.7 points per game and 8.3 rebounds per game, and led all GNAC players last week with a field goal percentage of 64.7 (22-for-34). In the 20th-ranked Wildcats’ 68-50 win over Cal State San Marcos, Sims matched her season high with 15 rebounds while adding 13 points, three assists and a block. She followed that with her second-highest point total of the season in a 112-28 trouncing of Walla Walla, making 9 of 10 field goals and finishing with 20 points, six boards, three steals and a pair of assists. Sims also played 27 effective minutes in CWU’s 74-59 win over Cal State LA earlier in the week, chipping in 17 points, four rebounds and four assists. Sims ranks fifth in Division II women’s basketball in shooting at 65.0% this season, and she ranks third in the GNAC with 9.3 rebounds per game.
CWU Head Coach Randi Richardson: “Capri’s performances last week were critical in our ability to get three wins, especially starting off against Cal State LA after our first loss last Saturday. She came out with an effort and intent to win, and you saw that specifically on the glass with seven offensive rebounds against Cal State San Marcos. She was extremely efficient offensively which is phenomenal for her position, especially with the amount of shots we are asking her to take. To have zero turnovers with how much she handles the ball shows that she is playing at an elite level. It is fun to see how much she has developed in terms of her offense, defense and mentality.”
Also Nominated: Mahaila Harrison, Alaska Anchorage; Jazlynn Novelli, Alaska; Cassie Chesnut, Montana State Billings; Trinidie Nichols, Northwest Nazarene; Grace Leasure, Seattle Pacific; Bree Neufeld, Simon Fraser; Olivia Hodges, Western Washington.
MEN’S BASKETBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Dennis Johnson III – Western Washington University
First-career player of the week.
Johnson III was named MVP of the Great Western Shootout, helping lead tournament host Western Washington to a pair of impressive victories. In the Vikings’ 83-76 upset of No. 10 Missouri S&T, Johnson scored a game-high 23 points in 24 minutes off the bench. He made 8 of 11 field goals and went 5-for-5 from the foul line, while adding five rebounds, two steals and an assist. In the Vikings’ 83-73 win over Colorado Mesa the previous day, Johnson III made 4 of 7 shots including 3 of 6 threes, on his way to 13 points, four assists, two rebounds and a steal in 20 minutes off the bench. A Seattle native, Johnson III has gotten his college career off to a good start with 8.4 points per game, 4.2 rebounds per game and an assist-turnover ratio of 1.71 (29/17) through 13 contests.
WWU Head Coach Tony Dominguez: “I am very excited for Dennis and his performances this past weekend. As a young player, Dennis is finding his way throughout this preseason and these last two games really provided a confidence booster at a much-needed time for our team. He adds a lot to the game on both ends, and is a heady, crafty player who has scoring ability and toughness on defense. We are looking forward to seeing him continue to grow.”
Also Nominated: Elijah Mobley, Alaska Anchorage; Mike Miller, Alaska; Mason Landdeck, Montana State Billings; Briggs Ranstrom, Northwest Nazarene; Zach Stone, Simon Fraser; Jadin Penigar, Western Oregon.