Washington Earns Second NAIA National Player of the Week Honor

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (2/17/26) – Williams Baptist University senior Jesse Washington was named NAIA National Offensive Player of the Week for the second time this season, the national office announced Tuesday morning.

Washington led Williams to a 2-0 week, scoring a combined 71 points while shooting 65% from the field and collecting 21 rebounds.

The Jonesboro, Ark., native scored 40 points for the second time this season and became the first Eagle to reach that mark in a conference game since 2004 in a 114-67 victory over Harris-Stowe on Thursday.

He followed with 31 points and 10 rebounds in a 111-93 win over Mission on Saturday.

The honor marks Washington's second National Player of the Week award of the 2025-26 season after earning the recognition in November.

Washington ranks ninth nationally in scoring at 23.3 points per game. Williams owns the second-highest scoring offense in the country, averaging 93.4 points per game.

The Eagles are 19-4 this season and one win shy of tying the program record for victories in a single season. Williams returns to the Southerland-Mabee Center on Thursday to close out the home schedule against Central Baptist. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m.