Kyle Gruhler Named NAIA MBB National Offensive Player of the Week

Claire Gay, UMW Sports Information

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Montana Western men's basketball player Kyle Gruhler earned Gared Performance Sports Systems NAIA Men's Basketball Offensive Player of the Week honors, the national office announced Tuesday morning.

This award comes on the heels of his fifth Frontier Conference Offensive Player of the Week honor.

"This is a huge honor for Kyle and we're very proud of the work he has put in to put himself in this position," head coach Patrick Jensen said. "Awards like this don't happen without his teammates and our group as a whole. Great honor and recognition for Kyle and our program."

Gruhler led the Bulldogs to another 2-0 weekend on the road in Frontier play as they defeated Dickinson State (78-73) and Bismarck State (96-66).

The senior led all players in scoring in both games, shooting 50.0 percent (18-36) from the floor and 52.6 percent (10-19) from distance while draining all five free-throw attempts.  

He dropped 24 second-half points (8-16 FG, 4-7 3FG, 4-4 FT) to push UMW to a 13-point comeback over Dickinson State.

The Vancouver, Wash., native followed that with a 27-point outing (10-20 FG, 6-12 3FG, 1-1 FT) in Western's commanding victory over Bismarck State.

Gruhler also registered 10 rebounds (six offensive), four assists, a block, and a steal while committing zero turnovers on the weekend.

In 2025-26, he is averaging 23.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.1 assists. He is shooting over 50.0 percent from the field (54.9) and from three (53.2) and is hitting 83.9 percent from the foul line.

LOOKING AHEAD

Up next, the Bulldogs return to Straugh Gymnasium to host MSU-Northern and Providence.