The NC-Double-Eh Player of the Week - Nov. 15 - 21

Today we will honor a player that is poised to have a very big junior season.  After leading his team to two great early season wins, we tip our hats to Toronto native Tyler Murray for earning this week's NC-Double-Eh Player of the Week ...

Player of the Week

Tyler Murray (Toronto) – Junior, Wagner College

Eastern Commerce alum Tyler Murray was being looked at as the feature of this season’s Seahawks offense and he hasn’t disappointed.  This week Murray had great performances against Lehigh and Stony Brook to earn the Can Ball Report’s NC-Double-Eh Player of the Week.

In Wagner’s 73-57 loss against Lehigh Nov. 15, Murray scored 18 points going 7-of-11 from the field including 4-of-5 from the arc.  He also contributed 2 rebounds and a steal in 38 minutes of action.  Murray was one of two Seahawks to score in double figures for the game as well as make half their field goal attempts.

In Wagner’s game Nov. 21, Murray came up big against Stony Brook leading his team to the 58-54 win. Tyler poured in a game high 21 points going 8-of -13 from the floor and 3-of-4 from behind the arc.  The 21 point tally was also a career high for Tyler.  He also included 6 rebounds, 2 steals, an assist and a block in 37 minutes of action. 

For the season, Murray is averaging 19 points, 4 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.3 steals through three games.  He is currently the Seahawks’ leading scorer and shares the lead for assists while pacing second in rebounds and steals.  Murray’s shooting 50% from the field (20-of-40) including 56.3% from the three (9-of-18) as well as 88.9% from the free throw line (8-of-9).  On the season, Tyler has only missed 6 minutes of game time averaging 38 minutes per contest. 

Honorable Mention:  Olu Ashoalu (Toronto), Louisiana Tech:  15 pts, 9.75 rbs, 2 asts, 1 stl, 23-of-41 FG, 14-of-22 FT, 33 mpg in 4 games.

Rookie of the Week

Melvin Ejim (Brampton, ON) – Iowa State

Melvin Ejim has been starting the first four games of the year for the Iowa State Cyclones and this week the dynamic freshman had two great games on his way being named Big 12 Co-Rookie of the Week.  Well, The Can Ball Report felt the same way and named him NC-Double-Eh Rookie of the Week.

In the Cyclones 91-43 blowout win over Drake on Nov. 17, Ejim had 14 pts on 7-of-8 shooting from the field.  He also added 2 rebounds, 2 steals, a block and an assist in a very efficient 23 minutes. 

Ejim’s best game of his young career would come four days later against Creighton which would end in a 91-88 win after and spectacular 40 foot game winner from fellow Canadian Jamie Vanderbeken.  In the win, Ejim tallied 22 points on 9-of-13 shooting that included 2-of-3 from behind the arc and 2-of-2 from the charity stripe.  He also had 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and a block in 30 minutes of court time.

On the season, Ejim is averaging 15.3 points, 4, 5 rebounds, 1.8 steals and an assist.  He’s shooting 68.6 from the field (24-of-35), 50% from the arc (2-of-4) and 91.7 from the free throw line (11-of-12) in 25.8 starter minutes per game.  Ejim is currently second on the team in scoring and steals, fourth in rebounding and third on the team in assists.

Honorable Mention:  Tristan Thompson, Texas:  15.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1.5 steals, 4 blocks, 12-of-19 FG, 7-of-17 FT, 40 mpg in two games.

Line of the Week

Imad Qahwash (Kitchener, ON) – Senior, Central Arkansas

7-of-7 FG, 2-of-2 3PT FG, 7-of-8 FTs for 23 points in 31 minutes off the bench.  He also added 5 rebounds and 2 assists in his school’s two point loss to UMKC on Nov. 16.