Being away for a week in very warm climes is a gift and a curse.  Gift in that you are in very warm climes where you are catered to hand and foot (well not really but I’ll leave that story for another time).  Curse in that you miss an entire week of hoop action since internet costs about $20 an hour to use on the resort - US dollars that is!  But regardless, the Can Ball Report is back and since we missed last week’s installment, this week we give you a double hit of the NC-Double-Eh Player of the Week.

Jared Mintz (Toronto, ON) – Soph., Lafayette

Second year forward Jared Mintz made it really easy for us this week(s) to pick our standout Canadian baller.  He had four outstanding games in a two week span, including an impressive showing against Georgetown, Jared has earned the Can Ball Report’s Player of the Week for both Nov 22 and Nov 29.

Having been a starter in the second half of last season for the Leopards, this year should be a break out type year for Mintz.  If the last two weeks are an indication of the year he will have, then this may be the first of many honors for him. 

In the previous week, Mintz helped his team to two victories.  The first came on Nov 18 against St Francis (PA) where he had posted career high in scoring hanging 24 on a perfect 9-9 from the floor and a near perfect 6-7 from the line.  He also added six rebounds and a steal as well in his efficient 28 minutes of action. 

Three nights later, Mintz would put up 19 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and a block in Lafayette’s 69-52 win over N.J.I.T.  He would go 8-10 from the field and 3-4 from the free throw in the game also.

For the week of Nov 22, Jared averaged 21.5 pts, 5.5 rbs and 1.5 asts.  He shot 89% from the floor (17-19) and 82% from the charity stripe (9-11).  

In Lafayette’s two games this past week, Mintz continued his great playing.  In the Leopards win over Hartford on Nov 24, he put up 18 points on 6 of 7 shooting.  He added 10 rebounds for his fourth career double-double to go with a steal and a block.  He also shot 6 of 8 from the free throw line.

In his last game of the week Saturday, Mintz held his own against an always tough Georgetown team.  Going up against sure shot future NBA draft pick Greg Monroe, Mintz posted a team high 16 points on 5 of 7 from the field including making his only three attempt.  He also added four boards along with an assist and steal in the loss. 

For the week of Nov 29, Mintz averaged 17 points, 7 rebounds and a steal.  He shot 78.5% from the floor (11 of 14) and the free throw (11 of 14). 

For the season, Mintz is the team’s leading scorer at 18.2 a clip and second leading rebounder at 6.7.  He's shooting 69.1% from the field and 86.5% from the free throw line. 

Honorable Mentions:

Week of Nov 22 – Rob Sacre, Gonzaga – 16 pts, 6 rbs, a block, 12 of 19 from the field, 8 of 9 from the line in two games.

Week of Nov 29 – Papa Oppong, Eastern Kentucky – 12.5 pts, 3 rbs, 2.3 asts, 1.3 stls, 15 of 28 from the field, 8 of 17 from the three in three games.

Stat Line of the Week (s)

Andrew Nicholson (Mississuaga, ON) – Soph., St Bonaventure

After beginning the Basketball Travellers Classic with a 15 point, 12 rebounds in the Bonnies thumping of Southeast Missouri State, Nicholson followed that up the next game with a career night.  In his team’s easy win over Norfolk State, Andrew posted 29 points and 14 rebounds, both personal bests.  He shot 11 of 13 from the floor and 7 of 10 from the line while adding two blocks in his 33 minutes of action.  Look out for more of this from Nicholson as the season goes on. 

Don't forget the games for today and tomorrow as well.  As always the games that are highlighted are should see games ...

Nov 30