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DENVER - Grand Canyon sophomore forward Keonta Vernon has been named Western Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Week for the week of Dec. 14-20. This is his first-ever WAC Player of the Week honor.
The Tulare, Calif., native averaged 15.5 points on 56.5 percent shooting, 10.5 rebounds and 2.0 steals as the Antelopes went 2-0 on the week. In a win over Delaware State last Tuesday, Vernon got his first start of the season and finished with 15 points, 10 rebounds and three steals, all career highs, in only 20 minutes of action. He followed it up with another double-double leading all players with 16 points and 11 rebounds, both career highs again, in a road win at San Diego State. It was arguably the best win in program history, as the Lopes handed the Aztecs just their ninth loss in their last 107 home games.
Other nominees included: CSU Bakersfield's Aly Ahmed averaged 14.7 points, 9.7 rebounds, 1.7 blocks, 1.3 steals and 1.0 assists as the Roadrunners went 2-1 on the week ... Clemmye Owens V of Chicago State averaged 15.0 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists as the Cougars went 1-1 on the week ... Missouri-Kansas City's LaVell Boyd finished with 14 points and four rebounds in a win over Rockhurst ... Ian Baker of NM State averaged 15.0 points on 68.8 percent shooting, 3.5 assists and 2.5 rebounds as the Aggies went 1-1 on the week ... Seattle U's Manroop Clair finished with 15 points on five three-pointers against San José State ... Marcel Davis of Utah Valley finished with 19 points on 66.7 percent shooting, five rebounds and five assists in a win at UTSA.