ROCKLIN, Calif. – Jessup men's basketball guard Cayden McDaniel was honored as the PacWest Defender of the Week after securing a pair of dominant double-doubles and locking down opponents on the perimeter.

In the final week of February, Warriors men's basketball closed out their regular season schedule with two physical conference battles at Warrior Arena. McDaniel was a defensive anchor and an offensive catalyst for Jessup, averaging 23 points, 11.5 rebounds, and three steals per game.

In Tuesday's tight matchup against Vanguard University, the sophomore delivered a relentless 37-minute performance. McDaniel pulled down 11 crucial defensive rebounds to secure his first double-double of the week while shooting an efficient 10-17 from the field. From beyond the arc, he sank three triples to lead Jessup with 24 points. 

Back in Rocklin for the weekend and regular season finale, the team looked to bounce back as they hosted Chaminade University. The guard ended with an even more impressive two-way stat line to cap off his stellar week. McDaniel led the defensive charge with a staggering five steals while collecting 12 total rebounds to notch his second consecutive double-double. Offensively, he added 22 points, nailed two triples, and distributed four assists. Jessup controlled the tempo and forced key turnovers to defeat the Silverswords by a decisive margin, 93-80.

Head Coach Mark Darnall spoke about McDaniel's PacWest honor and his development down the stretch, "Cayden really came into his own late in the season."

He continued about the guard's versatility and relentless effort on the glass, "He is known for his scoring but in our 6-2 stretch to finish the season he averaged 7.5 rebounds per game and was consistently impacting the defensive side of the ball. I am really happy for Cayden getting recognition for his effort on the defensive end this week."

Jessup men's basketball concluded their 2025-26 season with a 15-13 overall record and 12-10 in PacWest play.