Jamal Gibson Named NAIA Defensive Player of the Week

Jamal Gibson Named NAIA Defensive Player of the Week
January 8, 2025

NEW ORLEANS [January 8, 2025] – Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO) Men's Basketball player Jamal Gibson has been named National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Defensive Player of the Week, the Association announced Tuesday. The honor comes after the Knights went 2-0 in the HBCU Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) Crossover on January 3 and 4.

Gibson started the week being named HBCUAC Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week, and those honors put him in the national running for the same honors.

NAIA Men's Basketball Defensive Player of the Week

Jamal Gibson, Southern University at New Orleans (La.) - SO - Forward

  • Gibson was strong in SUNO's four games, securing an average of 14.8 defensive boards, an average of 18.8 rebounds total.
  • Grabbing 27 total boards in the 70-58 win over Stillman (Ala.), he dished out four assists, grabbed three steals, and a pair of blocks.
  • Overall, Gibson secured 59 rebounds, 13 assists, eight steals, and seven blocks over four games and 143 minutes played.

"It feels great to be named the national defensive player of the week," Gibson said. "It just lets me know my hard work is always worth it."

While the award is given to an individual, Gibson is not shy about giving his teammates recognition. "The award means a lot to me and my team. It shows the hard work we've put in is paying off, and we're being rewarded. Player of the week goes to me, but my team is on it as well."

The stats seem unreal to most, but this is Gibson's norm. He has a motor that does not stop, and his desire for more has not stopped.

"I definitely plan on going harder and putting my foot on the pedal," Gibson continued. "I hope my face is on the weekly honor board every single week from here on out."

With his numbers each game, his goal is attainable for a player of his magnitude. Head Coach James A. Matthews, III expressed his excitement for Gibson saying, "This young man is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of player. As great as he is on the court, he's an even great human being. He genuinely cares about people. This award speaks volumes about his work ethic and his ability to overpower opponents. It's incredible to me that this is normal for him," Matthews said with a chuckle. "And what's normal for him creates a problem for opponents."

This is Gibson's second national player of the week honor. He was named NAIA Player of the Week on January 16, 2024. This season, the NAIA began awarding Offensive and Defensive Player of the year, allowing for more players to be recognized. For Gibson, it also gives him another goal to accomplish. He has swept the HBCUAC Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week three times this season and hopes to accomplish the same nationally.

"It would be so nice to sweep the national awards," Gibson said. "I am going to play every game like I want the national awards. Anything I accomplish my team accomplishes with me because I'm not playing by myself."

It's hard to imagine what else Gibson can accomplish, but he has an idea.

The next thing I want to achieve is scoring 50 points and getting 25 rebounds in one game," he explained. "I know I can do it. I know I have it in me."

Those who've seen Gibson play know that goal is not far from his reach.

For more information about SUNO Athletics, visit sunoathletics.com.

 

 

-SUNOKNIGHTLIFE-

 

Stay up to date on sunoathletics.com and on social media.

Facebook/Instagram/X: @sunoathletics

VB IG: @sunoknightsvolleyball

WBB IG: @sunoknightswbb

MBB IG: @sunoknightsmbb

Baseball IG: @sunoknightsbaseball

Baseball X: @sunobsb