VANCOUVER, Wash. – The NWAC Baden Athletes of the Year for men's and women's basketball have been revealed with Walla Walla's Kyson Rose and Lane's Bella Hamel earning the respective awards.

Kyson Rose • Walla Walla • Men's Basketball
Rose was a stalwart for the Warriors men's basketball team, starting all 30 games and averaging 32.1 minutes per game as he led them into the postseason. Rose averaged a double-double on the season with 22.6 points per game, ranking fourth in the NWAC, and 10.5 rebounds per game, ranking second in the conference. He was also one of the most efficient shooters in the NWAC, making 62.2 percent of his field goals to rank tied for second.

The 6'9" post was not only a dominant scorer and rebounder in the NWAC, he also ranked eighth overall in assists with 107. He was 12th in blocks with 31and fourth in free throws as he made 134-of-162 attempts. Rose helped lead the Warriors to a 24-6 overall record and 13-3 in the East Region to place second. Walla Walla fell 85-76 to Edmonds in the Sweet 16 of the NWAC Men's Basketball Championship. In the game, Rose led the team with another double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds. He had 18 double-doubles on the season.

Bella Hamel • Lane • Women's Basketball
Hamel earns the Baden Player of the Year after leading the Titans to a near perfect season, finishing 32-1 overall and the NWAC title. The Titans went 15-1 in the tough South Region, finishing the year on an eight-game winning streak. On the season, Hamel ranked in the top-10 in the NWAC in a number of categories including fourth in points per game (18.3), sixth in rebounds per game (12.3), sixth in total assists (108) and first in three-point shooting percentage (42.4). Hamel also had the most total points on the season with 548 and the most defensive rebounds at 283. Additionally, she was third in the nWAC with 98 steals as she contributed in all faces for the Titans.

Hamel was named the NWAC Tournament MVP after her incredible championship run to bring the Titans their sixth conference title. In the tournament alone, Hamel averaged 16.8 points per game and 10.3 rebounds per game. Hamel will be continuing her collegiate basketball career next season at the University of Oregon.