By: Spencer Scheve, Communications and Sports Information Intern

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Joshua Simmons of Southwestern Christian (Okla.) has been named the NAIA Division I Men's Basketball National Player of the Week, the national office announced Tuesday.  Simmons was selected for his play during the week of Jan. 2-9 and was chosen out of the conference and Association of Independent Institutions award winners. 

Division I Men’s Basketball Player of the Week

Joshua Simmons, Southwestern Christian (Okla.)
6-7, Jr., F, Irmo, S.C.

• Simmons posted 68 points, while leading the Eagles to two victories in a three-game span last week.
• He scored 23 points in a win over Bethel (Kan.), 93-75; 20 points in a win over John Brown (Ark.), 77-65; and 25 points in a loss to Texas Wesleyan.
• Averaged 22.7 points, 13.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists during the week. 
• Simmons is firing an impressive 52 percent from the field and 68 percent since joining the Eagles in December.

For a complete list of all the Men’s Basketball Division II statistical leaders, click here. 

For the complete NAIA Player of the Week calendar, click here. 

Nominees: Xavielle Brown, Park (Mo.); Shyke Smalls, Montana Western; Ray Edwards, Huston-Tillotson (Texas); Trent Gilbert, Georgetown (Ky.); Jose Jimenez, Faulkner (Ala.); Marcel Daniels, Southern-New Orleans (La.); Justin Randall, MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.); Sean McDonnell, Westmont (Calif.)

2016-17 Division I Men's Basketball Composite Award Winners
Week 1 (December 07): George Page, Wiley (Texas) 
Week 2 (December 14): Shyke Smalls, Montana Western 
Week 3 (January 04): Di'mar Hill, Faulkner (Ala.) 
Week 4 (January 11): Joshua Simmons, Southwestern Christian (Okla.)