KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Rocky Mountain’s Isabelle Heggem has been named the Gared Performance Sports Systems NAIA Women’s Basketball Defensive Player of the Week following a standout stretch of defensive performances leading into the new calendar year and through the opening games of 2026.

In the Battlin’ Bears’ two contests that opened the new year, Rocky Mountain secured wins over Bellevue (Neb.), 72–58, and No. 4-ranked Dakota State, 55–52.

Heggem delivered a 26-point, 15-rebound double-double against the Bruins before posting a 20-rebound, four-block performance in Rocky’s three-point victory over the Trojans. Overall, she averaged 17.5 rebounds per game, 13.5 of which came on the defensive end, along with 3.5 blocks during the Battlin’ Bears’ 2-0 weekend.

For the reporting period of Dec. 9 through Jan. 4, Rocky Mountain posted a 5–2 record. During that span, Heggem totaled 91 rebounds, 20 blocks, and five steals, while also contributing 17.1 points per game on the offensive end.