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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. 18-24.
 
AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Tacko Fall · Jr. · C · UCF · Dakar, Senegal
Fall recorded two double-doubles as UCF stretched its winning streak to five games with two victories last week. In wins over Stetson and South Carolina State, the big man was a combined 15-of-18 from the field, posting 18 points and 11 rebounds in both games in recording his second and third double-doubles of the season. On the year, Fall is shooting 78.1-percent, the best mark in the nation.


 
AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
David Nickelberry · Fr. · G/F · Memphis · Orlando, Fla.
Nickelberry came off the bench in two Memphis wins last week, averaging 10.5 points and 6.0 rebounds for the Tigers. Nickelberry’s three-pointer in the second half gave Memphis the lead for good in a win over Siena. Against Loyola (Md.), Nickelberry recorded a career-high 14 points, going 6-of-8 from the floor.


 
WEEKLY HONOR ROLL
Payton Banks · Gr. · G/F · USF · Orange, Calif.
Banks led the Bulls with 23 points as USF opened the week with a win over Northern Arizona. The graduate transfer helped USF make it a 2-0 week with 13 points in the Bulls’ victory against Charlotte to wrap non-conference play.
 
Ben Emelogu II · Sr. · G · SMU · Grand Prairie, Texas
In a 2-0 week for SMU, Emelogu II averaged 15.5 points, knocking down 8-of-9 three-point field goals attempts as the Mustangs knocked off Boise State and Cal Poly. Against Cal Poly, Emelogu was 5-of-5 from three-point range, boosting his season percentage to a nation-leading 62.5 percent.
 
Rob Gray · Sr. · G · Houston · Forest City, N.C.
In Houston’s final non-conference game, Gray led the Cougars with 24 points in a 70-59 victory over Providence at the Hall of Fame Holiday Showcase. Gray earned Most Valuable Player honors after a 7-of-16 effort from the field, adding nine points at the free-throw line.
 
Jeremiah Martin · Jr. · G · Memphis · Memphis
For the second time in as many weeks, Martin matched his career high with 26 points, this time coming against Loyola (Md.). In a 2-0 week for Memphis, Martin averaged 21.0 points, chipping in 4.5 steals per game.
 
Landry Shamet · R-So. · G · Wichita State · Kansas City, Mo.
Shamet recorded 20.5 points and 5.5 assists per game in two wins for No. 11 Wichita State. The sophomore added 11 assists against just two turnovers for the Shockers.