USF's Harris, CCSJ's Smith Selected As First Women's Basketball Weekly Award Winners For 2025-26
CHICAGO --- University of St. Francis' Le'lani Harris (Oak Lawn, Ill.) and Calumet College of St. Joseph's Jayonna Smith (Chicago, Ill.) are the first Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference Women's Basketball Player of the Week recipients for the 2025-26 campaign, the league office announced on Tuesday.
Harris used her 16.5 scoring average and 52.2 field goal percentage to secure the offensive nod. She put up 23 points with four three-pointers in an 80-46 win over Indiana University Kokomo last Tuesday.
The senior guard went on to add another 10 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals in a 104-58 decision over Kentucky Christian University on Saturday.
NAIA No. 19-ranked St. Francis is off to a quick 4-0 start to the season.
Smith gained the defensive accord after averaging 4.0 defensive rebounds, 7.0 steals and 2.0 blocks last week. She also produced a double-double and averaged 19.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists over her two games played.
The double-double of 23 points and 10 rebounds came in a 67-35 win over Grace Christian College (Mich.) on Thursday for Smith. The junior also registered eight steals, four assists and a pair of blocks.
Smith closed out the week with 15 points, six steals, four rebounds, three assists and another two blocks in a 75-53 setback to Indiana Kokomo on Saturday.
The 1-1 week left the Crimson Wave at 1-2 on the young season.
Other Offensive Nominees: Cencere McDaniel (Governors State), Lindsey Nell (Olivet Nazarene), Veronica Bafia (Saint Xavier), EJ Brown-Griffin (Indiana Northwest), Madison Carlson (Judson), Bradie Chambers (Indiana South Bend), Carly Drew (Viterbo), Jayonna Smith (Calumet St. Joseph), Abby Wolter (St. Ambrose).
Other Defensive Nominees: Symone Harrell (St. Francis), Easton Kimball (Judson), Pearla Teko-Folly (Viterbo), Lindsey Nell (Olivet Nazarene), Alaina Peetz (Saint Xavier), Tenleigh Phelps (Indiana South Bend), Caitlyn Thole (St. Ambrose), Alexis Warren (Governors State), De'Mour Watson (Indiana Northwest).