COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. –  The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference announced its Week 10 Men’s Basketball Players of the Week on Monday, with Western Colorado University’s Aidan McDowell and Fort Lewis College’s Cassius Carmichael securing the offensive and defensive awards, respectively. The RMAC Men’s Basketball Player of the Week awards are presented by Genesee Nutrition.
 
Offensive
Aidan McDowell, Western Colorado (Sophomore, Guard, Crete, Nebraska)
McDowell continues his outstanding 2025-26 campaign for the Mountaineers after leading his squad to a 1-1 week behind a pair of dominant offensive performances. The sophomore guard started the week with a 36-point outburst against South Dakota Mines. On his way to 36, McDowell knocked down 11 field goals, including three from beyond the arc, while adding a career-high 13 rebounds. He was flawless at the free-throw line, going 11-for-11, and chipped in one assist as the Mountaineers pulled away for an 81-74 win over the Hardrockers.

On Saturday, McDowell led his squad against a nationally ranked Black Hills State team that came to Paul Wright Gym in Gunnison. The Crete, Nebraska, native led all scorers with 28 points, fueled by nine field goals, two three-pointers, and another perfect outing from the free throw line (8-of-8). McDowell currently leads the RMAC in scoring and ranks second in Division II with 27.3 points per game.

Others Nominated: Luke Williams, Adams State; Cam Lowe, Black Hills State; Isaiah Randolph, Chadron State; Ty Allred, Colorado Mesa; Shelton Henton, Colorado School of Mines; Bryce Riehl, CSU Pueblo; Jaxon Smith, Fort Lewis; Marcus Pierce, New Mexico Highlands; Nick Marabito, Regis; Ryan Sweeney, South Dakota Mines.
 
Defensive
Cassius Carmichael, Fort Lewis (Senior, Forward, Glendale, Arizona)
Carmichael delivered a historic week for the Skyhawks, playing a pivotal role in Fort Lewis’s victories over Colorado Christian and the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. In Thursday night’s showdown with the Cougars, Carmichael erupted for 11 steals, shattering the program’s single-game record of nine and tying the RMAC record set by Adams State’s Mike Reynolds in 1996. His 11 steals in the 73-56 win are the most by any Division I or Division II player this season and rank second across all divisions (DI, DII, and DIII). The senior now sits eighth nationally in DII in steals per game (2.79), a mark that places him second in the conference, only behind teammate Stewart Erhart.

The Glendale, Arizona, native returned to the floor Saturday against UCCS and picked up another steal within the game’s opening minute before suffering a hand injury that sidelined him for the remainder of the contest, limiting him to just one minute of action.

Others Nominated: Jack Haggett, Black Hills State; Zach Smith, Chadron State; Clayton Jewell, Colorado Mesa; Trent Miller, Colorado School of Mines; Jaden Kennis, CSU Pueblo; Dontae Walker, New Mexico Highlands; Dyland Forbord, Regis; Gray Thompson, South Dakota Mines; Quincy Scott, Western Colorado.

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 70 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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