NEW YORK (Feb. 17, 2026) ---
Jacob Morales of Montclair State University has been named Divs. II/III Men’s Player of the Week by the Met Basketball Writers Association.
The designation, for games played Feb. 9-15, is unique in that it encompasses players from 49 Met area schools across Divisions II and III.
While this marks Morales' first MBWA Player of the Week nod this season, he earned the honor twice in 2024-25.
A 6-4 senior forward from Montvale, NJ, Morales --- who also was named the New Jersey Athletic Conference player of the week --- averaged 26.5 points on 51.4% (19-of-37) shooting along with 5.5 rebounds, 3.0 steals and 2.5 assists as the undefeated Red Hawks (24-0, 17-0) grabbed a pair of homecourt victories, defeating NJCU 98-85 Wednesday and thrashing Kean 79-55 Saturday.
Morales erupted for seven 3-pointers in a 28-point performance against New Jersey City before following with 25 points, eight rebounds and four steals against Kean.
The only unbeaten men’s team in Division III and ranked No. 1 in the nation by D3hoops.com, the Red Hawks --- with one regular season game left --- have clinched the top seed and a bye into the semifinals of the upcoming NJAC tournament.
Players receiving MBWA Divisions II/III Men's Honorable Mention for the week: Moussa Camara, Felician; Melvin Evans, Caldwell; Jack Flannery, USMMA; Starrell Hearns, St. Thomas Aquinas; Tayejon Lynch, Western Connecticut; Parker Neuenhaus, Vassar; Kenny Rodriguez, St. Joseph’s Long Island; Zion Williams, SUNY Maritime.
Previous MBWA 2025-26 Division II/III Men’s Players of the Week: Dec. 9,
Jeremiah Anderson, Felician; Dec. 16,
Marcel Henry, Western Connecticut; Dec. 23,
Aaron Goldstein, Staten Island; Jan. 13,
Patrick Burke, Adelphi; Jan. 20,
Aaron Goldstein, Staten Island; Jan. 27,
Darren Rubin, NYU; Feb. 3,
Zevi Samet, Yeshiva; Feb. 10,
Zion Williams, SUNY Maritime.
--- www.metbasketballwriters.org ---