Payne Shares Shares USBWA Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week Honors
12/23/2025 4:29:00 PM | Men's Basketball
INDIANAPOLIS, IND. – The U.S. Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) has named Seton Hall men's basketball forward Stephon Payne one of the five Oscar Robertson National Players of the Week for the last week of games, the body announced on Tuesday evening.
Each Tuesday during the regular season, designated USBWA board members will select five standouts from the 31 Division I conference players of the week to be recognized. This week's selections were chosen from a list of the conferences that named a player of the week on Monday.
Payne dominated in Friday night's BIG EAST opener at Providence as the Pirates claimed a 72-67 victory. The Jacksonville, Fla. native scored a season-high 18 points, on 8-of-10 shooting, and pulled down a career-high 16 rebounds, five of which came on the offensive glass. Payne became the first Pirate since Jared Rhoden in 2022 to finish a game with at least 15 points and 15 rebounds. Payne scored 14 of his 18 points in the second half as he propelled Seton Hall to a tough road win to open conference play.
With his selection, Payne is the first Seton Hall player to receive the honor since Myles Powell on November 19, 2019. He is also the second BIG EAST player to receive the honor this season, with the other two being Butler's Michael Ajayi (11/25) and Xavier's Tre Carroll (12/9).
Since the 1958-59 season, the USBWA has named a National Player of the Year. In 1998, the award was named in honor of the University of Cincinnati Hall of Famer and two-time USBWA Player of the Year Oscar Robertson. It is the nation's oldest award and the only one named after a former player.
At the conclusion of the regular season, the USBWA will name finalists for the award, which is voted on by the entire membership. The winner of the award will be announced at the 2026Â Men's Final Four in Indianapolis, with the formal presentation to follow at the annual USBWA Awards Luncheon hosted by the Missouri Athletic Club in St. Louis.
The U.S. Basketball Writers Association was formed in 1956 at the urging of then-NCAA Executive Director Walter Byers. With some 800 members worldwide, it is one of the most influential organizations in college basketball. It has selected an All-America team since the 1956-57 season. For more information on the USBWA and the Oscar Robertson Trophy, contact executive director Malcolm Moran at 814-574-1485.
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Each Tuesday during the regular season, designated USBWA board members will select five standouts from the 31 Division I conference players of the week to be recognized. This week's selections were chosen from a list of the conferences that named a player of the week on Monday.
Payne dominated in Friday night's BIG EAST opener at Providence as the Pirates claimed a 72-67 victory. The Jacksonville, Fla. native scored a season-high 18 points, on 8-of-10 shooting, and pulled down a career-high 16 rebounds, five of which came on the offensive glass. Payne became the first Pirate since Jared Rhoden in 2022 to finish a game with at least 15 points and 15 rebounds. Payne scored 14 of his 18 points in the second half as he propelled Seton Hall to a tough road win to open conference play.
With his selection, Payne is the first Seton Hall player to receive the honor since Myles Powell on November 19, 2019. He is also the second BIG EAST player to receive the honor this season, with the other two being Butler's Michael Ajayi (11/25) and Xavier's Tre Carroll (12/9).
Since the 1958-59 season, the USBWA has named a National Player of the Year. In 1998, the award was named in honor of the University of Cincinnati Hall of Famer and two-time USBWA Player of the Year Oscar Robertson. It is the nation's oldest award and the only one named after a former player.
At the conclusion of the regular season, the USBWA will name finalists for the award, which is voted on by the entire membership. The winner of the award will be announced at the 2026Â Men's Final Four in Indianapolis, with the formal presentation to follow at the annual USBWA Awards Luncheon hosted by the Missouri Athletic Club in St. Louis.
The U.S. Basketball Writers Association was formed in 1956 at the urging of then-NCAA Executive Director Walter Byers. With some 800 members worldwide, it is one of the most influential organizations in college basketball. It has selected an All-America team since the 1956-57 season. For more information on the USBWA and the Oscar Robertson Trophy, contact executive director Malcolm Moran at 814-574-1485.
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Players Mentioned
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