Dec. 17—MARSHALL, Minn. — For the first time in program history, a Southwest Minnesota State University men’s basketball player has been named the National Basketball Coaches Association/Division II Conference Information Directors Association National Player of the Week.
Jakob Braaten, a 2021 graduate of Byron High School and senior guard for the Mustangs, received the honor on Tuesday.
Braaten, who stands at 6-feet-0, leads the Mustangs in many statistical categories, including points per game (16.9), rebounds (5.9 pg), assists (5.7 pg), steals (2.1 pg), field goals made (61), free throws made (40) and minutes played (32.6 pg).
He led SMSU to three victories last week — two were Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference road wins — averaging 16.3 points and 10 assists per game.
On Dec. 8, Braaten set a school record with his 17 assists and added nine points in a victory against North Central University. Later in the week on Dec. 13, he put up a career-high 27 points, along with eight rebounds and six assists, in a close 80-71 win at Concordia-St. Paul.
The following day, on Dec. 14, Braaten notched 13 points, seven assists, four rebounds and three steals as the Mustangs (6-4, 4-1 NSIC) took down Winona State 76-56.
Braaten made 19-of-28 baskets from the field (68%) and was 9-for-9 in free-throw shooting, while averaging 5.7 rebounds and two steals per game, paired with 30 total assists in those three victories. The Concordia-St. Paul win was his fourth 20-point game this season.
He was also named the NSIC’s South Division Player of the Week on Monday and the NSIC South Division Preseason Player of the Year for 2025-26. Last season, he was an All-NSIC First Team selection after leading the team in scoring with 14.3 ppg.
About the Author
