BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Trevecca Nazarene guard Jikari Johnson (player) and Union forward Judson Bjornstad (freshman) each collected Gulf South Conference Men’s Basketball Weekly Awards as presented by Truist following their performances from Jan. 13-19 of the 2024-25 season.
Player of the Week:
Jikari Johnson, Sr., G, Trevecca Nazarene
Johnson brought home his first GSC Player of the Week award this season after averaging 24.3 points, three rebounds, and making 52 percent of his attempts from behind the arc. To start the week, the senior dropped 26 points on 62 percent shooting while swatting two shots, dishing out two assists, and making three of his four three-point attempts to fuel Trevecca Nazarene to an 89-77 win over Mississippi College. He then scored 23 points, brought down three more rebounds, had an assist, and grabbed a steal to help the Trojans get a 91-76 victory over Christian Brothers. The Durham, N.C. native rounded out the week with 24 points, including five threes, two boards, two steals, and two blocks against Union. Johnson now is top-five in scoring in the GSC on top of being second in the conference in three-point percentage.
Other nominees: Tommy Murr, UAH; Derek Moore, Montevallo; CJ Jackson, Union; Elijah Wyche, West Florida; Carlos Hart, Valdosta State; Zach Gray, Lee; Malachi Rhodes, Auburn Montgomery
Freshman of the Week:
Judson Bjornstad, Fr., F, Union
For the third-straight week, Bjornstad reeled in a GSC Freshman of the Week honor following a week that saw him average 9.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, two blocks, and two steals in a 2-0 week for Union. The freshman had an all-around performance in Union’s 73-60 win over Lee as he had five points, blocked two shots, grabbed two steals, and pulled down four boards. He would then follow this up with a near double-double in an 86-83 win over Trevecca Nazarene as he dropped 14 points on 50 percent shooting, grabbed nine rebounds, had two more rejections, and grabbed two steals. Bjornstad now has five GSC Freshman of the Week awards this season.
Other Nominees: Camden Andrews, Montevallo; Brett Wright, Trevecca Nazarene
2024-25 GSC MEN'S BASKETBALL WEEKLY AWARD WINNERS
Nov. 12: Tommy Murr, Alabama Huntsville (Player); Camden Andrews, Montevallo (Freshman)
Nov. 19: Brandon Fussell, Montevallo (Player); Camden Andrews, Montevallo (Freshman)
Nov. 26: Tommy Murr, Alabama Huntsville (Player); Carter Wesson, Montevallo (Freshman)
Dec. 3: Chris Terrell, Delta State (Player); Judson Bjornstad, Union (Freshman)
Dec. 10: Brandon Fussell, Montevallo (Player); Camden Andrews, Montevallo (Freshman)
Dec. 17: Chris Terrell, Delta State (Player); Judson Bjornstad, Union (Freshman)
Dec. 23: Jalen Page, Trevecca Nazarene (Player); Luke Smith, Montevallo (Freshman)
Jan. 7: Parker Applegate, Union (Player); Judson Bjornstad, Union (Freshman)
Jan. 14: Tommy Murr, Alabama Huntsville (Player); Judson Bjornstad, Union (Freshman)
Jan. 21: Jikari Johnson, Trevecca Nazarene (Player); Judson Bjornstad, Union (Freshman)