1/26/2026 10:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball, Paul Coro
Share:
GCU senior guards becomes conference's 1st repeat winner of season
By: Paul Coro
The week's best team in the Mountain West claimed the best player in the conference again.
GCU senior Jaden Henley became this season's first repeat winner of Mountain West Player of the Week for his star-studded play in a Wednesday home win against first-place San Diego State and a Saturday victory at Fresno State.
The 6-foot-7 guard averaged 20.0 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists in the two wins with 46.2% shooting from the field and 83.3% accuracy at the free throw line.
In Saturday's win, Henley recorded his first career double-double with 23 points and 10 rebounds to lead GCU past Fresno State 68-57 at Save Mart Center.
"Jaden's finishes were just sensational around the rim," Lopes head coach Bryce Drew said.
In the second half of a tight game at Fresno State, Henley scored 12 consecutive GCU points to keep the Lopes ahead. Henley's repertoire during that run included a pull-up jumper, driving slam and spinning reverse, but he made the SportsCenter Top 10 later in that game with a poster slam over Fresno State 7-foot center Wilson Jacques.It also was a critical basket because it marked the last time the Bulldogs were within a possession of tying the Lopes.
For the season, Henley is averaging career highs for points per game (17.2), rebounds per game (5.1), assists per game (2.4) and steals per game (1.6). He is one of 14 guards in the nation to be hitting at least those averages this season. The Ontario, California, native also is shooting a career-best 46.9% from the field. His scoring and steals averages rank fifth and sixth in the conference, respectively, Only four other Mountain West players crack the top 10 in points and steals.
GCU (13-6, 6-2 Mountain West) plays Tuesday night at Nevada (14-6, 6-3) in a battle between the conference's fourth- and fifth-place teams.