CLINTON, Miss. — Mississippi College guard Phil Nelson has been named the Gulf South Conference Freshman of the Week, the league office announced Tuesday. Nelson earns the honor after a standout stretch from Dec. 1–7 in which he helped the Choctaws open GSC play with a 2–0 record.

Nelson averaged 19.5 points, three rebounds and 2.5 assists across MC's wins over Christian Brothers and Union. The rookie guard shot 67 percent from the field on the week and delivered several momentum-changing plays in both victories.

He opened the stretch with a 17-point performance in Mississippi College's 84–76 win over Christian Brothers, adding three rebounds and three assists while shooting efficiently throughout. Nelson followed on Saturday with one of his strongest collegiate outings to date, scoring 22 points in an 85–71 win over Union. He went 11-of-12 at the free-throw line and knocked down timely shots to help secure the conference win.

Nelson is the first Choctaw this season to earn a GSC weekly award and becomes the latest MC newcomer to make an early impact in conference play.

Union's Will Lovings-Watts was named the league's Player of the Week after averaging 25 points and eight rebounds.

The weekly honors announced Tuesday are the fourth set of awards released by the GSC during the 2025–26 season.