WALTHAM, Mass. -- Graduate student
Aedan Using of
Old Lyme, Connecticut, and senior
Abby Kennedy of
Half Moon Bay, California, members of the men’s and women’s basketball teams, have been named the Brandeis University Athletes of the Week for the week ending Jan. 10, the first awards of 2026. The Brandeis Athlete of the Week program is presented by The Chateau Restaurant and Jake n JOES Sports Grille.
Using averaged 12 points, 8 rebounds and 5.5 assists in two games last week for the Judges, a 90-79 win over Lasell in non-conference play and an 88-85 win over NYU in the team’s University Athletic Association opener. Using’s week was highlighted by a triple-double against NYU when he had 16 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists as a center. It was Brandeis's first triple-double since the 2011-12 season.
Overall this season, Using is averaging 8.6 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. After missing the Judges’ first six games of the season, Using has played in the last five, with three starts, and the Judges are 5-0 in those contests.
The Brandeis men will take an 8-4 record, 1-0 in the UAA, into Friday night’s game against #3 Emory at 5:30 p.m.
Kennedy averaged 14.5 points and four rebounds per game in a 1-1 week for the Judges. She helped Brandeis secure a 10-1 non-conference record, their best since the 2008-09 season with 24 points and five rebounds in a win over Wheaton (Mass.) College on Jan. 6. The Judges opened UAA play with a 79-49 loss at the hands of top-ranked NYU, holding the Violets to their lowest scoring output of the season and edging them, 18-17, in the second period, the first time this season that NYU had been outscored in a quarter. Kennedy was limited to five points against the two-time defending Division III champions.
Overall, Kennedy ranks second in the UAA this season in scoring, averaging 18.5 points per game. She is also averaging 4.7 rebounds per game.
The Brandeis women, with a record of 10-2, 0-1 in the UAA, will face their second-straight top-10 opponent against #9 Emory on Friday evening at 7:30 p.m.
This is the tenth year that the Brandeis Athlete of the Week program has been presented by The Chateau Restaurant Group. The Athlete of the Year Program highlights top Brandeis student-athletes who have had an outstanding athletic achievement in the week prior. Each selected student-athlete will be featured on the Brandeis athletics homepage and inside the Chateau Waltham and Jake n JOES.
Owned and operated by the Nocera Family, the Chateau Restaurant of Waltham opened in 1933 and set the standard for providing the tradition of Italian family dining, friendly service, and quality food at reasonable prices for its customers. Located on 195 School Street, with 900 seats, the Chateau is always ready to accommodate large parties.
The Nocera Family consists of 6 brothers who have always had a passion for playing sports. In 2010, the Nocera Family launched a new concept, Jake n JOES Sports Grille. Jake n JOES Waltham opened in 2014 and is the best place to watch a game and enjoy quality food.
"Brandeis student-athletes are fantastic role models in our community,” says Chateau President Joe Nocera, “They exemplify the ideals of excellence and commitment both on and off the playing field. The Chateau Waltham and Jake n JOES Waltham are proud to partner with Brandeis Athletics to continue to enhance a positive focus within the Waltham Community."
Using is a 2020 graduate of Old Lyme High School. For more information on Brandeis men’s basketball, visit their web page at
https://brandeisjudges.com/sports/mens-basketball.
Kennedy is a 2022 graduate of Half Moon Bay High School. For more information on Brandeis women’s basketball, visit their web page at
https://brandeisjudges.com/sports/womens-basketball.
For more information on Brandeis athletics, visit our web page at www.brandeisjudges.com or follow us on social media on X, Instagram and Facebook @BrandeisJudges.
