PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The American Athletic Conference has announced the winners of the league’s weekly men’s basketball honors for the week of Dec. 5-11.
AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Dedric Lawson · So. · F · Memphis · Memphis, Tenn.
Lawson flirted with a triple-double in Memphis’ 62-55 victory over UAB on Saturday. The forward hit 8-of-16 shots from the field en route to a 24-point, 10-rebound, 8-block performance. With seven double-doubles this season, Lawson sits third in the NCAA and is one of two players nationally currently averaging at least 20 points and 10 rebounds per game.
AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Ray Ona Embo · Fr. · G · Tulane · Lognes, France
Ona Embo helped Tulane to a 2-0 week, averaging 14 points and 4.5 assists for the Green Wave. The Lognes, France native handed out a game-high six assists in an 84-75 home victory over Southern before posting a career-high 15 points as Tulane grabbed a 71-64 road win at Southern Miss.
WEEKLY HONOR ROLL
Rob Gray · R-Jr. · G · Houston · Forest City, N.C.
With 30 points against #--/rv Rhode Island, Gray led Houston to an 82-77 victory. On the week, Gray averaged 26.0 points per game and has scored 14 or more points in all nine of the Cougars’ games this season.
Cameron Reynolds · R-Jr. · F · Tulane · Pearland, Texas
Reynolds averaged 23.5 ppg and 9.0 rpg as Tulane went 2-0. The lefty posted 24 points in Tulane’s home win over Southern before notching his first double-double of the season with 23 points and 11 rebounds against Southern Miss.
Matt Williams · R-Sr. · G · UCF · Orlando, Fla.
Williams recorded his first career double-double with 23 points and 10 rebounds as UCF improved to 7-1 this season. Williams’ 23 points were one shy of his career high, as were his six three-pointers.
Semi Ojeleye · Jr. · F · SMU · Ottawa, Kan.
With 23 points and seven rebounds, Ojeleye led SMU to a 14-point win over rival TCU. In SMU’s 10 games, Ojeleye has led the Mustangs in scoring on six occasions.
Sterling Taplin · So. · G · Tulsa · East Amherst, N.Y.
Taplin averaged 15.5 points and 4.5 assists in Tulsa’s two games last week, hitting the game-winning layup in the Golden Hurricane’s victory over Illinois State.