INDIANAPOLIS (USBWA) – Ryan Turell of Yeshiva University (New York, N.Y.) and Claudia Cooke of Kenyon College (Gambier, Ohio) were named the U.S. Basketball Writers Association Division III National Players of the Week for the week ending November 28.

Turell, a 6-7 senior guard from Los Angeles, Calif., led the top-ranked (D3hoops.com) Maccabees (8-0) to a pair of victories last week. On Tuesday, he posted a double-double of 26 points (9-of-18 FG, 7-of-10 FT, 1-of-2 3FG) and 13 rebounds while adding three assists, three steals and a block in Yeshiva's 98-69 victory over Purchase. Then, on Sunday, Turell set a program record by scoring 51 points (21-of-30 FG, 1-of-1 FT, 8-of-15 3FG), the second-highest total in NCAA Division III this season (the 17 field goals tied for season-high). He added four rebounds, an assist, two steals, and two blocks in the Maccabees' 78-56 win over Manhattanville. Turell, who leads Division III in field goals made (148) and total points (229), averaged 38.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 2.5 steals, and 1.5 blocks over the two games. He shot 62.5 percent (30-of-48) from the field, 72.7 percent (8-of-11) from the foul line and 52.9 percent (9-of-17) from three-point range. For his efforts, Turell was also named Skyline Conference Player of the Week.

Cooke, a 6-1 sophomore forward from Chesterfield, Mo, recorded a pair of double-doubles in leading Kenyon (2-5) to two victories last weekend. On Saturday, she totaled 18 points (8-of-13 FG, 2-of-2 FT), 12 rebounds, three assists, one steal, and three blocks in the Ladies' 83-77 win over Muskingum. The next day, Cooke improved on her double-double by scoring 19 points (9-of-12 FG, 1-of-3 FT) and collecting 14 rebounds in Kenyon's 77-35 victory over Earlham. She added three assists, a steal and four blocks in the contest. Over the two games, Cooke averaged 18.5 points, 13.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.0 steals, and 3.5 blocks while shooting 68 percent (17-of-25) from the field and 60 percent (3-of-5) from the foul line. For her efforts, Cooke was also named the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) Player of the Week.

Each Tuesday, the USBWA is selecting men's and women's Division III National Players of the Week. The program has resumed after a one-season hiatus and this is the seventh season that the USBWA will recognize national players of the week from Division III.

The U.S. Basketball Writers Association was formed in 1956 at the urging of then-NCAA Executive Director Walter Byers. With some 900 members worldwide, it is one of the most influential organizations in college basketball. It has selected an All-America team since the 1956-57 season. For more information on the USBWA and its award programs, contact executive director Malcolm Moran at 814-574-1485.

2021-22 USBWA Division III National Players of the Week
• Week ending Nov. 21: Buzz Anthony, Randolph-Macon College and Abbey Lawrence, Case Western Reserve University
• Week ending Nov. 28: Ryan Turell, Yeshiva University and Claudia Cooke, Kenyon College
• Week ending Dec. 5: Lyle Tipton, Geneva College and Meg Carroll, Lasell University
• Week ending Dec. 12: Ryan Turell, Yeshiva University and Hanna Geistfeld, Bethany Lutheran College
• Week ending Dec. 19: Luke Feely, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and Cayla Sharkey, Gwynedd Mercy University
• Week ending Jan. 2: Jack Davidson, Wabash College and Jenna Taylor, Simpson College
• Week ending Jan. 9: Alex Sobel, Middlebury College and Aleah Grundahl, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
• Week ending Jan. 16: Christian Stewart, Spalding University and Camille Zinaich, Oberlin College
• Week ending Jan. 23: Levi Borchert, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and Hanna Geistfeld, Bethany Lutheran College
• Week ending Jan. 30: Christian Parker, University of Mount Union and Flannery O'Connor, Framingham State University
• Week ending Feb. 6: Jackson Danzig, University of Scranton and Bailey Donovan, Husson University
• Week ending Feb. 13: Matthew Leritz, Illinois Wesleyan University and Hanna Geistfeld, Bethany Lutheran College
• Week ending Feb. 20: Austin Grunder, SUNY Cortland and Elyce Knudsen, Millikin University
• Week ending Feb. 27: Jack Davidson, Wabash College and Anaya Simmons, Christopher Newport University