MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The SSAC announced the 2025-26 SSAC Men's Basketball Players of the Week. Gabriel Rivera of Faulkner was named SSAC Men's Basketball Offensive Player of the Week and Kosta Bjelicic of Loyola was named SSAC Men's Basketball Defensive Player of the Week. The awards are for the week of Nov. 17-23.

Offensive: Gabriel Rivera (Faulkner – SR – F – Orlando, Fla.)

·      This is his second-career weekly honor

·      Rivera averaged 23 points and seven rebounds per game, while shooting 47% from 3-point range in a pair of conference contests

·      He produced 21 points and six boards in a win over Blue Mountain Christian and then tallied 25 points and eight rebounds, while shooting 5-of-8 from 3-point range against UT Southern

Defensive: Kosta Bjelicic (Loyola – SO – C – Belgrade, Serbia)

·      This is his first-career honor

·      In a 2-0 week, Bjelicic averaged 10 rebounds, two blocks and a steal per game, while also averaging 12.5 points per contest

·      He brought down 15 rebounds and blocked three shots in a four-point win over Xavier

Previous Winners (Offensive, Defensive)

Week 1: KJ Rogers (Faulkner), KJ Rogers (Faulkner)

Week 2: KJ Rogers (Faulkner), Gil Gonzalez (Brewton-Parker)

Week 3: Kameron Johnson (Loyola), Makeem Roberts (William Carey)

Week 4: Zachary Lee (Loyola), Esrael Yant (Blue Mountain)