KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Jes Mertens of Mayville State (S.D.) has been named the NAIA Women’s Basketball Offensive Player of the Week, while Kayla Stafford of Brenau (Ga.) has been named the NAIA Women's Basketball Defensive Player of the Week. The duo was selected based on their performances from February 10-16 and were chosen out of a pool of conference/Continental Athletic Conference (Independents)/unaffiliated group nominees.

Players of the Week are announced on Tuesdays on naia.org, Instagram, and X throughout the regular season.

X - @NAIA
Instagram - @PlayNAIA

NAIA Women's Basketball Offensive Player of the Week 

Jes Mertens, Mayville State (S.D.) – SR – Guard

• Averaged 33.5 points per game and five assists per contest in two games
• Finished with a double-double in a loss to Dakota State (S.D.)
• Scored a career-high 42 points in a win over Bellevue (Neb.)
• Aided Mayville State to a 1-1 record last week, including a win over Bellevue

NAIA Women's Basketball Defensive Player of the Week

Kayla Stafford, Brenau (Ga.) – SR - Center

• Had 39 defensive rebounds and 11 blocks in three games last week
• Added four steals during the week
• Had 12 defensive boards, two steals, and five blocks in a win over St. Andrews (NC)
• Led Brenau (GA) to a 2-1 record last week with wins over CIU (SC) and St. Andrews (NC) 

For a full archive of the 2024-25 NAIA Women's Basketball Players of the Week, click HERE