KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association announced a new Men’s Basketball Athlete of the Week award winner in the 2025-26 season. Fort Hays State’s Dan Mukuna claimed the first MIAA Athlete of the Week honor for the Tigers this season.
MIAA MEN’S BASKETBALL ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Dan Mukuna, Fort Hays State
Dan Mukuna averaged a double-double for the Tigers last week with 28.0 points and 11.5 rebounds per game over a pair of wins for Fort Hays State. The junior forward had a career-high 34 points and 15 rebounds in the 16-point win at South Dakota Mines last Wednesday (Nov. 19), scoring the team's first 12 points and 20 in the first half. He doubled his previous career high in scoring and was one board shy of doubling his previous career high for rebounds. Mukuna finished 14-of-21 from the field, hitting the most field goals in a game by an FHSU player since Rob Davis made 14 back during the 2016-17 season. On Sunday (Nov. 23), Mukuna led the Tigers again with 22 points in a 21-point win over Bethel. Mukuna hit 5-of-7 from the field and 11-of-12 at the free-throw line in the win. On the week, Mukuna shot 67.9 percent from the field and 94.4 percent at the free-throw line. He also averaged 1.0 assists, steals, and blocks per game for the week.
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES:
Tilley Kyran, Central Missouri
Tilley Kyran led the Mules to a 84-79 victory over Upper Iowa (Nov. 20), improving Central Missouri to a 4-2 start to the season in their lone contest of the week. The reigning MIAA Freshman of the Year recorded a career-high 26 points, going a career-best 10-of-16 from the field (62.5 percent), adding five rebounds and two assists for good measure.
Bryson Smith, Washburn
Bryson Smith averaged 17.0 points per game while leading Washburn to a pair of wins over the week. With the Ichabods trailing late in the game against Rockhurst, Smith scored seven straight points to put the Ichabods up for good, finishing with 22 points overall in the 85-81 win. The senior guard then added 12 points in the 36-point win over William Jewell on the road. He also added five rebounds, five assists and four steals in the contests.
Mason English, Pittsburg State
Mason English averaged 18.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 8.5 assists and 2.0 steals from his guard position to help Pittsburg State post a 1-1 record on the week. The Pittsburg native posted his first collegiate double-double with 19 points and 10 assists in a 93-66 victory over Maryville last Thursday (Nov. 20) in the Pitt State Classic. He then added 17 points and seven assists against Oklahoma Baptist the next night. For the week, English shot 57.7 percent from the field (15-of-26) and a perfect 1.000 from the free throw line (3-of-3).
Jaden Taylor, Missouri Southern
Jaden Taylor led the Lions this past week at the Pitt State Classic, averaging 24.0 points and 3.0 rebounds per game as Missouri Southern went 1-1. Taylor totaled 28 points, shooting 10-for-15 (.667 percent) and 80 percent from the charity stripe with a trio of boards against Oklahoma Baptist. Taylor then registered 24 points, shooting 60 percent with three rebounds in the victory over Maryville. The senior from Memphis, Tennessee, has posted 20 or more points in all four of Missouri Southern's games this season.
ALSO NOMINATED:
Jabryn Anderson [Rogers State], Noah King [Missouri Western], Matthew Willenborg [Central Oklahoma], Chris Harris [Emporia State], Xavier Glenn [Northeastern State]
WEEK ONE: Jaden Taylor, Missouri Southern
WEEK TWO: Dan Mukuna, Fort Hays State