Louisiana Tech’s DJ Dudley, AJ Bates, and Melian Martinez received Conference USA postseason honors, the league office announced on March 9.
The recognition highlights the achievements of these student-athletes during the basketball season. Such awards are significant for both the players and the program, reflecting individual excellence and team performance within Conference USA.
Dudley was named to the Third Team All-Conference USA after leading Louisiana Tech in scoring with an average of 14.1 points per game. He also made 57 three-pointers at a 39 percent rate and contributed in rebounds, assists, and steals. Dudley led his team in scoring 13 times this season and scored at least 20 points in eight games, including seven during conference play. He also made several game-winning shots against conference opponents such as Delaware, Middle Tennessee, and Missouri State.
Bates earned Honorable Mention All-CUSA honors as he averaged 11.2 points per game and led Louisiana Tech with 5.9 assists per contest—ranking him among national leaders for assists. Bates started all 31 games this season and recorded three double-doubles. His standout performance included a career-high 15 assists against Jacksonville State, setting a record for most by a Bulldog against a CUSA opponent.
Martinez was selected to the CUSA All-Defensive Team after leading the conference in blocks per game (1.81) and total blocks (49). He ranked among national leaders in shot-blocking statistics and recorded at least three blocks in ten games this season. Martinez is close to reaching a milestone of fifty blocks for the year—a mark achieved by only eight other Bulldogs previously.
Since joining Conference USA in the 2013-14 season, sixteen Bulldogs have earned twenty-six All-CUSA honors—the second most among league teams during that period. Martinez became the ninth Bulldog named to the CUSA All-Defensive Team, which is more than any other school over thirteen years.
