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

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 (November 17, 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