KANSAS CITY, MO. (Jan. 10, 2012) - Josh Orta of Our Lady of the Lake University has been named the NAIA National Division I Men's Basketball Player of the Week, the national office announced Tuesday. Orta was selected based on his performances from Jan. 2 - 8 and was chosen out of a pool of conference/independent/unaffiliated groupings.

Orta, a 5'9" junior guard, recorded the school's first triple-double of the season with 18 points, 11 steals and 10 assists in the 116-77 victory over Texas College on Jan. 5. The 11 steals fell two shy of the NAIA single-game record. The native of San Antonio, Texas, shot 7-of-14 (.500) from the field and 4-of-5 (.800) from the charity stripe. Orta has led the Saints to nine-straight wins and a No. 17 national ranking.

In the NAIA, Orta ranks fourth in steals per game (3.6) and 10th in assists per game (6.0).

The next Player of the Week announcement will be on Jan. 17.

Nominees: Kyle Harvey, Williams Baptist (Ark.); Anthony Simmons, Xavier (La.); Deangelo McIntosh, Oklahoma Baptist; Luke Thomas, MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.); Shaun Tatarka, Montana State-Northern; Ree McCrory, Martin Methodist (Tenn.); Ryan Westbrooks, Lee (Tenn.); Maurice Pearson, Georgetown (Ky.); Lionel Holmes, Robert Morris (Ill.); Devin Dyer, The Master's (Calif.)

2011 Composite Award Winners
Week 1: Eric Frederick, Texas Wesleyan
Week 2: Josh Orta, Our Lady of the Lake (Texas)

Published on the NAIA Website by Chad Waller, Director of Communications & Sports Information, cwaller@naia.org