This week we saw some great performances from a lot of great players but we will tip our Canadian made toques to Montreal native Kris Joseph who came alive at the right time to help lead his Syracuse Orange to a tournament championship and earn NC-Double-Eh Player of the Week honors ...
Player of the Week
Kris Joseph (Montreal) – Junior, Syracuse
Montreal native Kris Joseph has been tabbed as the next star for the Syracuse Orangemen and a potential NBA player. After a sluggish start to the season, Joseph had a breakout two games these last few days against Michigan and Georgia Tech to help lead the Orange to the Legend’s Classic Championship. In the two games, Joseph averaged 20.5 points, 4 rebounds, 1.5 steals and an assist in 28.5 minutes per game to earn the nod of NC-Double-Eh Player of the Week.
In Syracuse’s narrow 53-50 win over a rebuilding Michigan team Nov. 26, Joseph was one points off his career high pouring 22 points along with 5 rebounds, 2 steals and an assist in 37 minutes of action leading his team to victory. He was the game’s top scorer having shot 8-of-14 from the field, including 3-of-6 from three, and being one of only two ‘Cuse players to make half their shots.
In the Orange’s game against a feisty Georgia Tech team a day later, Joseph again led his team to the win on his way to being named to the Legend’s Classic All Tournament Team with frontcourt mate Rick Jackson. Despite being saddled with foul trouble in the first half, he would come out in the second half to score 12 points in a decisive run to help cement the 80-76 win for Syracuse. In the game, Joseph tallied 19 points on 5-of-7 from the field (2-of-3 from behind the arc) and 7-of-8 from the line. He also added 3 rebounds and a steal in 19 minutes of very efficient floor time.
For the season, Kris Joseph is averaging 14.3 points to lead the Orange in that category. He’s also averaging 5 rebounds and 2 assists which are good for third and fourth on the team while averaging 28 minutes per contest. Joseph is currently shooting 42.9% from the floor and 73.8 from the line. As note, he is also shooting 30.4% from the three and has made 7 threes already which is two away from the total he had all of last season.
Honorable Mention: Jason Calliste, Detroit Mercy: 18.5 pts, 3.5 rebs, 1.5 asts, 2.5 stls, 10-of-16 FG, 6-of-8 3PT FG, 11-of-16 FT, 30 mpg in two games.
Rookie of the Week
Melvin Ejim (Brampton, ON) – Freshman, Iowa State
In two blowout wins this past week, Melvin Ejim has shown that he’s a player on the rise in the Big 12 Conference. Helping his Iowa State Cyclones to two wins over Kennesaw State and Montana State, he has averaged a double-double posting 16.5 points and 10 rebounds over both games including 1.5 assists and steals in 29 minutes of action to earn NC-Double-Eh Rookie of the Week honors.
In the Cyclones’ 91-51 win over Kennesaw State Nov 14, Ejim didn’t get the start but he showed why he should be starting posting the first double-double of his young career with 14 points and 12 rebounds. He shot 6-of-10 from the field and added two steals and an assist in 30 minutes of floor time.
In his next game Nov. 27 against Montana State, Melvin was inserted back into the starting lineup and had his second best season total in points going off for 19 on the strength of 8-of-10 shooting, including making one of his two three attempts, and going 2-of-3 from the line. He also added 8 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal in 28 minutes to help in the convincing 81-59 win.
For the season, Ejim is averaging 15.7 points and 6.3 rebounds per game which are both good for second on the team. He’s also averaging 1.2 assists and 1.7 steals through his first six games while shooting a blistering 69.1% from the floor (38-of-55), 42.9% from the three and 71.4% from the free throw line.
Honorable Mention: Dwight Powell, Stanford: 10.3 pts, 6 rebs, 1.3 asts, 9-of-14 FG, 1-of-1 3PT, 12-of-13 FT, 32.3 mpg in 3 games.
Line of the Week
Dwight Powell (Toronto) – Freshman, Stanford – 0-of-0 FG in 26 minutes against Tulsa Nov.26.
I don’t mean to knock him at all but Powell didn’t take a shot in 26 minutes of action. Wow! That’s a lot of floor time not to be at least set up by your teammates for a shot. By the way, did we mention Powell’s the second leading scorer on the team? That makes this stat a lot more incredible.
Honorable Mention: Rob Sacre,Gonzaga: 11-of-13 FTs against Kansas State Nov. 22. Sacre hit as many FTs as the entire Wildcats team and he shot a better percentage (11-of-20 for K-State).