This week we honor a first time recipient but a long time contributing player to his team. Playing at Scottie Pippen's alma mater, Imad Qahwash is making the most of his senior season on a not so good team. This past week, despite his team's losses, he played great enough to be named our newest NC-Double-Eh Player of the Week ...
Player of the Week
Imad Qahwash (Kitchener, ON) – Senior, Central Arkansas
Despite Central Arkansas having one of their not so memorable seasons in the Southland Conference, Imad Qahwash has been one of the few bright spots for this team. He’s had a change of role this season and has flourished in it. Over this past week, Qahwash and the Bears played in three games and even though they lost all three Imad averaged 16.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2 assists and 1.7 steals in 29.7 minutes per game. He shot 16-of-33 from the floor including 7-of-19 from the three as well as shooting 11-of-19 from the line. Regardless of his team’s record, Qahwash was named our NC-Double-Eh Player of the Week.
In the Bears’ first game last week on Feb. 7, the played the make up against Texas-Arlington that was postponed due to weather. Despite Central Arkansas losing the game 93-70, he didn't waste his effort. Qahwash posted a team high 19 points to go with 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals in 26 minutes off the bench. He shot 5-of-10 from the floor, including 4-of-6 from the three, and made 5 of his 10 foul shots in the loss.
The following game against Texas State two days later, the Bears again suffered another blowout loss falling to the Bobcats 85-61. Qahwash was brilliant again in defeat posting his first double-double of the season going for 15 points and 10 rebounds in 29 minutes. He also added 3 assists and 2 steals while shooting 6-of-13 from the field, making 2-of-7 treys, and making 1 of his 3 from the line.
In the Bears’ last game Feb. 12 against McNeese State, Qahwash more than held his own. Despite Central Arkansas losing to the Southland East Division leading Cowboys 81-67, he went for 16 points on 5-of-10 shooting from the floor, including 1 of his 6 threes, and going 5-of-6 from the charity stripe. He also added 2 rebounds, an assist and a steal in 34 minutes as a starter in the losing cause.
For the season, Qahwash is averaging 13.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.0 steals in 23 minutes per game. He’s currently shooting 44.8% from the floor, 35.9% from the three and 68.4% from the line. He currently leads the team in scoring and he also places 14thin the Southland Conference with his average.
Honorable Mention: Nem Mitrovic, Portland- 17.5 ppg,6.5 rpg,2.5 apg, 1 spg, 12-of-29 FGs, 8-of-18 3PT FGs,24-of-2 FTs, 30 mpg, two games.
Rookie of the Week
Tristan Thompson (Brampton, ON) – Freshman, Texas
Tristan Thompson had another great week helping lead Texas to two more wins in conference play. In the two games, he averaged a near double-double with 14 points and 9.5 rebounds while adding a steal and 2.5 blocks in 30 minutes. Thompson’s numbers earned him another Big 12 Rookie of the Week as well as his latest NC-Double-Eh Player of the Week.
In the Longhorns’ first game of the week against Oklahoma on Feb. 9, Thompson played well in limited minutes during the 68-52 blowout. In 25 minutes, he scored 11 points, grabbed 4 rebounds, blocked 2 shots and dished an assist. He shot 4-of-5 from the floor and 3-of-6 from the line.
In the Longhorns’ second game against Baylor three days later, Thompson was instrumental in helping get the 69-60 win by posting his fourth double-double of the season with 17 points and 13 rebounds, both team highs. He also had 2 steals and 3 blocks in 36 minutes while shooting 5-of-9 from the field and 7-of14 from the line in the contest.
For the season, Thompson is averaging 12.8 points on 53.2% from the floor, 7.5 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1 steal and 2.3 blocks in 30 minutes a game. He leads the team in blocks and is second on the team in scoring, rebounding and steals. Thompson’s average rank him amongst the Big 12 league leaders in scoring (18th), rebounding (6th), blocks (1st) and offensive rebounds (1st with 3.7).
Honorable Mention: Laurent Rivard ,Harvard –11.5 ppg,5 rpg,1 spg,6-of-13 FGs, 4-of-7 3PT FGs, 7-of-9 FTs, 26 mpg in two games.
Line of the Week
Bryson Johnson (Pictou, NS/Waterloo, ON) – Sophomore, Bucknell
Bucknell’s Bryson Johnson is like your typical guard. He’s a short guy (at least by basketball standards) who likes to shot the ball. He’s a starter for the Bison and he’s been a starter since about midway through his freshman season. Did we mention that he likes to shot? And when he does, he shots from deep. He had six made field goal attempts in two games and they were all treys. In fact, all he shot were threes, 14 of them to be exact. Sure he shot a couple of free throws but he only took three balls during game action time! This streak of only attempting three can be traced back to Jan. 29. The last time Johnson attempted a two pointer was Jan. 26 against Lehigh and he missed that one. So to recap, Bryson Johnson had a total of 20 points this week which were a result of, not including the two made free throws, converting 6 of his 14 three point attempts. I dare you to try that in your next run and see how long your buddies stop passing you the ball.