Monday, November 28, 2022

PORTLAND, Ore. – A near-perfect week for Western Washington’s Kai Johnson and a solid week against a robust regional opponent for Alaska Anchorage’s Vishe’ Rabb earned the duo selections as the GNAC Players of the Week.

Johnson was named the Men’s Basketball Player of the Week after he averaged 17.5 points and five rebounds in two wins for the Vikings. The sophomore guard missed just one shot from the field, making 92.9% from the field, and went 7 of 10 from the free-throw line.

Johnson opened the week with 10 points, five rebounds and five assists in the Vikings’ 108-54 rout of Maine-Fort Kent at home on Tuesday. In Saturday’s overtime thriller at Point Loma, Johnson connected for 25 points on 9 of 9 from the field and 6 of 8 from the free-throw line. He also had five rebounds and an assist in the 91-89 overtime win.

Rabb was named the Women’s Basketball Player of the Week after she averaged 23 points and 9.5 rebounds per game in a pair of UAA home wins over regional rival Biola. In Friday’s 77-68 victory, the senior guard scored 22 points and finished with seven rebounds, two assists and four steals. Rabb added a double-double in Saturday’s 86-79 win, finishing with 24 points and 12 rebounds with six assists and a steal.

For the week, Rabb finished shooting 46.2% from the field, 42.9% from three-point range and made 16 of 18 from the free-throw line. She averaged four assists and 2.5 steals per game. She had career scoring highs in both games.

Johnson and the Western Washington men host Capilano for a non-conference game on Tuesday before opening GNAC play on Saturday at Simon Fraser. Rabb and the Alaska Anchorage women open the conference schedule this week, hosting Montana State Billings on Thursday and Seattle Pacific on Saturday.

GNAC PLAYER OF THE WEEK SELECTIONS – WEEK 15
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Kai Johnson (Western Washington, G, 6-4, So., Olympia, Wash. – Olympia): Johnson averaged 17.5 points and five rebounds per game and missed just one shot from the field to lead the Vikings to a 2-0 week. On Tuesday, Johnson scored 10 points on 4 of 5 from the field to go with five rebounds, and five assists in a 108-54 rout of Maine-Fort Kent at home. At Point Loma on Saturday, Johnson finished with 25 points on 9 of 9 from the field and 6 of 8 from the free-throw line in the Vikings’ 91-89 overtime win. He also had five rebounds in the win. For the week, Johnson made 92.9% from the field, was 2 of 2 from three-point range and 7 of 10 from the free-throw line. Also Nominated: Abdullahi Mohamed (Alaska), Da’Zhon Wyche (Alaska Anchorage), Matt Poquette (Central Washington), Jonas La Tour (Seattle Pacific).

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Vishe’ Rabb (Alaska Anchorage, G, 5-9, Sr., Springfield, Minn. – Augustana (S.D.) Univ.): Rabb averaged 23 points, 9.5 rebounds and four assists per game in a sweep of a pair of games against Biola in Anchorage. On Friday, Rabb finished with 22 points, seven rebounds, two assists and four steals to help lead the Seawolves to the 77-68 victory. She came back on Saturday to notch a double-double of 24 points and 12 rebounds in an 86-79 victory. She also finished with six assists and a steal. For the week, Rabb shot 46.2% from the field, 42.9% from three-point range and 16 of 18 from the free-throw line. Also Nominated: Ellen Silva (Alaska), Valerie Huerta (Central Washington), Dyauni Boyce (Montana State Billings), Brooke Walling (Western Washington).