ORLANDO, Fla. – Lynn men's basketball standout John "JT" Roland has been named the Sunshine State Conference Defensive Player of the Week, the league announced Monday, marking the first weekly award of the season for the Fighting Knights.
 
John Roland anchored Lynn's defense throughout the week, averaging 11.0 rebounds, 1.7 blocks, and 1.3 steals per game while controlling the paint and the glass. The sophomore totaled 33 rebounds, five blocks, and four steals across three contests, consistently altering shots at the rim and limiting second-chance opportunities for opposing offenses.
 
The highlight of Roland's week came in Lynn's Sunshine State Conference matchup against Tampa, where he recorded a dominant all-around performance with 17 points, 12 rebounds, four blocks, and two steals in nearly 34 minutes of action. He followed that effort with another double-double against Claflin, finishing with 22 points, 18 rebounds, one block, and one steal, further showcasing his defensive consistency and interior presence.
 
Roland's performance set the tone defensively for the Fighting Knights and earned him conference recognition as one of the league's top defensive performers during the week.