Illinois, Michigan, Purdue, and Washington Garner Men’s Basketball Weekly Honors

Illinois, Michigan, Purdue, and Washington Garner Men’s Basketball Weekly Honors
Wolverines’ Johnson, Boilermakers’ Smith, Illini’s Wagler, and Huskies Steinbach claim Big Ten weekly accolades

Co-Player of the Week
Morez Johnson Jr., Michigan
F – Soph. – 6-9 – Riverdale, Ill. – Thornton Township
• Averaged 26.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks in two Wolverines’ wins
• Shot 75.0 percent from the field (18-for-24), while going 16-for-19 at the free-throw line
• Paired 24 points on 8-for-12 from the floor and 8-for-9 at the line and 11 rebounds in 21 minutes of a 112-71 win over McNeese
• Set a career high with 29 points on 10-for-12 shooting from the field in just 26 minutes on Michigan’s 96-66 win overt USC
• Scores first Player of the Week honor
• Last Michigan Player of the Week: Yaxel Lendeborg (December 1, 2025)

Co-Player of the Week
Braden Smith, Purdue
G – Sr. – 6-0 – Westfield, Ind. – Westfield
• Averaged 13.0 points, 10.0 assists, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.5 steals, while leading Purdue to a pair of wins
• Became the Big Ten’s career assists leader in the 89-73 win over Wisconsin with his 22nd career double, scoring 14 points with 12 assists
• Claims his third career Player of the Week honor and second this season
• Last Purdue Player of the Week: Braden Smith (November17, 2025)

Co-Freshman of the Week
Keaton Wagler, Illinois
G – 6-6 – Shawnee, Kan. – Shawnee Mission Northwest
• Averaged 16.3 points, 6 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.3 steals over the last two weeks, leading the Illini to three straight wins
• Scored a game-high 22 points, including a career-best five three pointers, with eight rebounds, four assists, two blocks, and two steals in a 91-48 win over Missouri
• Notched 11 points, a career-high 10 assists and seven rebounds in a 90-55 win over Southern
• Totaled 16 points, three rebounds, and three assists with a +17 in just 20 minutes of a 73-65 win over Penn State
• Claims second Freshman of the Week award
• Last Illinois Freshman of the Week: Keaton Wagler (Dec. 15, 2025)

Co-Freshman of the Week
Hannes Steinbach, Washington
F – 6-11 – Würzburg, Germany – Würzburg Baskets
• Posted three consecutive 20-point double-doubles as the Huskies went 2-1
• Paired 21 points and 14 rebounds in an 86-56 win over San Diego and added 20 points and 11 boards in a 74-65 win over Utah
• Closed the week with 20 points and 10 rebounds, converting 6-of-9 field goals and 8-of-9 free throws in a 90-80 loss at Indiana
• Earns second Freshman of the Week award
• Last Washington Freshman of the Week: Hannes Steinbach (Dec. 8, 2025)

2025-26 Big Ten Men’s Basketball Players of the Week
Jan. 5
P: Morez Johnson Jr., MICH
P: Braden Smith, PUR
F: Keaton Wagler, ILL
F: Hannes Steinbach, WASH

Dec. 22
P: Tariq Francis, RUT
P: Skyy Clark, UCLA
F: Braden Frager, NEB

Dec. 15
P: Lamar Wilkerson, IND
P: Pryce Sandfort, NEB
F: Keaton Wagler, ILL

Dec. 8
P: John Blackwell, WIS
F: Hannes Steinbach, WASH

Dec. 1
P: Yaxel Lendeborg, MICH
F: Kayden Mingo, PSU

Nov. 24
P: David Coit, MD
F: Braden Frager, NEB

Nov. 17
P: Braden Smith, PUR
F: David Mirkovic, ILL

Nov. 10
P: Tucker DeVries, IND
P: Bruce Thornton, OSU
F: David Mirkovic, ILL