Big South Announces Men's Basketball Players of the Week - Jan. 24
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (www.BigSouthSports.com) – UNC Asheville junior forward Drew Pember (Knoxville, Tenn.) has been named the Big South Men’s Basketball Player of the Week, while USC Upstate guard Jordan Gainey (Tucson, Ariz.) is the Freshman of the Week for games played Jan. 17-23, it was announced today.
Pember averaged 30.5 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.5 blocks in two games last week. He opened his week with 20 points, five rebounds, three blocks, two steals and 10-of-11 from the free throw line in a setback against North Carolina A&T on Wednesday. Pember followed with a 41-point, 11-rebound effort in an overtime win at Radford on Saturday -- the Big South’s first 40-point, 10-rebound double-double since 2013. He was 11-of-19 from the field against the Highlanders -- including 4-of-6 treys, and made 15-of-16 from the charity stripe. For the week, Pember was 15-of-25 from the floor ( =60.0 percent), 6-of-8 from three-point range ( =75.0) and drained 25-of-27 from the line ( =92.6).
Gainey helped the Spartans extend their Big South win streak to five games with 17.0 points, 5.5 assists and 3.5 rebounds in two victories last week. He scored 17 points with five assists and four boards in a win Wednesday at Gardner-Webb. Gainey had another 17-point game with six helpers, two blocks and two steals Saturday against Charleston Southern. He was 12-of-24 from the field ( =50.0 percent), 5-of-11 from beyond the arc ( =45.5) and made all five free throws in the two games.
Also nominated for Player of the Week: Jordan Whitfield (Campbell), John-Michael Wright (High Point), Justin Hill (Longwood), Dravon Mangum (Radford), Bryson Mozone (USC Upstate) and Patrick Good (Winthrop).
Also nominated for Freshman of the Week: Zack Austin (High Point).