TicketSmarter WAC Men’s Basketball Players of the Week Announced
DENVER – Utah Valley's Fardaws Aimaq has been named the TicketSmarter Western Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Week and Seattle U's Viktor Rajković was named TicketSmarter WAC Men's Basketball Freshman of the Week for November 22-28.
Aimaq, a redshirt sophomore center from Vancouver, B.C., Canada, wins the award for the second straight week after being named SoCal Challenge MVP following wins over Idaho and Nicholls State and then adding a home win against Denver on Saturday. On the week, he averaged 14.5 points per game and 15.3 rebounds per game with three double doubles, giving him a NCAA-best six on the young season.
Rajković, a freshman forward from Mill Valley, Calif., had a breakout week for the Redhawks and helping lead SU to three wins. His biggest game came in the week's finale, scoring 12 points to go with five rebounds in an 81-64 win over visiting St. Thomas (Minn.). On the week, he average 8.7 points to go with 3.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game.
Other nominees included: California Baptist's Daniel Akin was a perfect 7-for-7 from the field and averaged a team-best 11.0 points per game in a road loss at Texas and a home win over San Diego Christian … Dixie State's Cameron Gooden led the Trailblazers with 17 points and four assists in a loss to 24th-ranked USC on Monday … Grand Canyon's Jovan Blacksher Jr. averaged 16.3 points per game and 5.7 assists per game in three games on the week … Lamar's Davion Buster led the Cardinals with 22 points in a loss at UTSA and 20 points in a loss at Texas Tech … NM State's Teddy Allen posted the second 20-plus effort of his brief Aggie career, scoring 21 points in a win over New Mexico Highlands … Seattle U's Darrion Trammell helped the Redhawks to a 3-0 week, averaging 14.0 points per game and 5.7 assists per game in wins over UAPB, Pacific Lutheran and St. Thomas (Minn.) … Stephen F. Austin's Sadaidriene Hall helped the 'Jacks go 2-1 on the week, averaging 13.7 points and 5.3 rebounds per game … Tarleton's Montre' Gipson averaged 14.0 points and 6.5 rebounds per game in road losses at North Dakota State and Michigan … UT Rio Grande Valley's Justin Johnson scored 18 points with nine rebounds in a win over Cal State Fullerton on Tuesday.
Other freshman nominees included: California Baptist's Taran Armstrong finished the week averaging 7.5 points, 9.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game as the Lancers lost a road game at Texas before rebounding with a home win over San Diego Christian … Chicago State's Bryce Johnson scored 24 second-half points in the cougars road loss at Pacific on Monday … NM State's Marchelus Avery came off the bench to score six points and bring down nine rebounds in a 94-67 win over New Mexico Highlands … UT Rio Grande Valley's Donte Houston Jr. scored a career-high 17 points with eight rebounds in the Vaqueros' 72-67 win over Cal State Fullerton.