COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. –  Western Colorado’s Aidan McDowell and South Dakota Mines’ Guido Wanschelbaum are the first Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Men’s Basketball Players of the Week for the 2025-26 season, presented by Genesee Nutrition, the conference announced Monday.
 
OFFENSIVE
Aidan McDowell, Western Colorado (Sophomore, Guard, Crete, Nebraska)
McDowell erupted out of the gate for the Mountaineers in their 2025-26 season openers against Angelo State and Texas Permian Basin. In his debut with the program, the sophomore logged 28 minutes, pouring in 37 points on an efficient 74% shooting. He was extremely effective from range, drilling 7-of-10 from beyond the arc. McDowell kept his momentum rolling in game two, posting 29 points in just 28 minutes. This time, he shot 47% from the floor, added two more threes, and was flawless at the charity stripe, going a perfect 11-for-11. Through two games, McDowell’s 33 points per contest are tied for second in all of Division II.

Others Nominated: Wyatt Helming, Adams State; Myles Johnson, Black Hills State; Isaiah Randolph, Chadron State; Cohenj Gonzales, Colorado Mesa; Jaden Kennis, CSU Pueblo; Logan Threatt, MSU Denver; Logan Flores-Peoples, Regis; Jason Lee, South Dakota Mines; Marzouq Ibn Abdur-Razaaq, UCCS; Michael Fraizer, Westminster.
 
DEFENSIVE
Guido Wanschelbaum, South Dakota Mines (Junior, Forward, Buenos Aires, Argentina)
Wanschelbaum delivered an impactful opening weekend for the Hardrockers in their two-game set against Texas A&M-Kingsville, helping South Dakota Mines begin the season with a 1-1 record. The junior opened the series with a strong defensive showing, pulling down nine rebounds and adding a block, a steal, and seven points in a narrow one-point loss. He followed that effort with an even bigger performance, posting a double-double of 14 rebounds and 10 points, along with another steal. Powered by Wanschelbaum’s presence, the Hardrockers earned a 79-66 victory in the rematch.

Others Nominated: Emilek Jallow, Adams State; Jack Haggett, Black Hills State; Jadon Cool, Chadron State; Ty Allred, Colorado Mesa; Jordan Blair, CSU Pueblo; Brian Unachukwu, MSU Denver; Luke Soden, Regis; Marzouq Abdur-Razaaq, UCCS.

About the RMAC
The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, headquartered in Colorado Springs, is a premier NCAA Division II conference with 15 institutions located in Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, South Dakota, and Utah. The RMAC currently competes in 22 NCAA Division II sports and has earned 67 national championships and 53 national runners-up since 1992. Founded in 1909, the RMAC is the most historic athletic conference in the western United States and Division II.

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