Tyriq Luke Named GNAC Men’s Basketball Player of the Week
PORTLAND, Ore. – University of Alaska Fairbanks men’s basketball player Tyriq Luke has been named the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) Player of the Week, the conference announced on Monday, Feb. 23, 2026. The award recognizes Luke’s performance in leading the Nanooks to two crucial road victories against Seattle Pacific and Montana State Billings last week.
Key Performances
Luke’s week began with a 12-point outing at Seattle Pacific on Thursday, Feb. 19, where he shot 4-8 from the field, contributing to the Nanooks’ 78-74 win over the Falcons. His most impactful performance came on Saturday against Montana State Billings, where he scored a career-high 38 points in a 101-97 overtime victory.
His 38-point game tied for the third-highest single-game point total in the GNAC this season and marked the most points scored by a Nanook since May 2, 2022, against Simon Fraser in the GNAC tournament.
Statistical Highlights
In addition to his scoring, Luke added seven rebounds, five assists and one steal during the win against Montana State Billings. He also connected on six of 11 three-point attempts, a career-best for made three-pointers in a single game.
Coach Ostanik’s Comments
“Going into the weekend I had a feeling someone would need to step up for us if we were going to come away with two really massive road wins. Tyriq was that guy,” said head coach Frank Ostanik. “He carried us the first half against SPU and on Saturday, he simply took over. Not only did Tyriq score at a very efficient level, but he also did a great job on the glass and setting up his teammates. It was exciting to watch someone who works as hard as Tyriq does play so well.”
Looking Ahead
The Nanooks will conclude the regular season with a pair of home games, hosting Saint Martin’s and Western Oregon for two important GNAC matchups. The team is currently vying for a spot in the GNAC Tournament. Mike Miller is currently leading the Nanooks in scoring, averaging 16 points per game, ranking eighth in the GNAC. Tyriq Luke averages 13.9 points per game.