Villanova's Jalen Brunson
Villanova's Brunson, St. John's Ponds Garners MBB Weekly Honors
NEW YORK – Jalen Brunson of Villanova and Shamorie Ponds of St. John’s, after leading their teams to 2-0 weeks to open league play, have earned BIG EAST Player of the Week and BIG EAST Freshman of the Week honors, respectively.
BIG EAST Player of the Week
Jalen Brunson, Villanova, G, So.
Brunson averaged 20.0 points 5.5 assists and 4.0 rebounds, while guiding the Wildcats to a pair of wins. In an 80-70 victory at No. 10 Creighton, the sophomore scored a career-high 27 points on 10-of-14 shooting from the field, which included 5-of-7 from 3-point range. He added five assists and four rebounds. Brunson posted 13 points, six assists and four rebounds in a 68-65 win over DePaul.
BIG EAST Freshman of the Week
Shamorie Ponds, St. John’s, G, Fr.
Ponds led St. John’s to a 2-0 start in BIG EAST play by averaging 20.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.0 steals in wins over Butler (76-73) and at DePaul (79-73). Against Butler, he scored a game-high 26 points and grabbed seven rebounds. In the win at DePaul, Ponds scored 15 points. The Preseason BIG EAST Freshman of the Year has won weekly freshman honors in three of the past four weeks.
BIG EAST Honor Roll
Tyler Wideman, Butler, F, Jr.
Averaged 14.5 points and 7.5 rebounds in a 1-1 week. Shot 11-of-14 (.786) from the floor in the two games.
Maurice Watson Jr., Creighton, G, Sr.
In a 1-1 week, averaged 13.5 points, 9.5 assists and 3.5 rebounds. Had 21 points and 10 assists in an 89-75 win over Seton Hall.
Bashir Ahmed, St. John’s, F, Jr.
Averaged 16.5 points and 5.0 rebounds in a 2-0 week. Shot 6-of-11 (.545) from 3-point range.
Angel Delgado, Seton Hall, F, Jr.
Extended his double-double streak to eight games after averaging 14.0 points and 11.0 rebounds in a 1-1 week.
Edmond Sumner, Xavier, G, So.
In a 2-0 week, averaged 20.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 6.5 assists. In a win at Georgetown (81-76), had a career-high 28 points along with eight rebounds and six assists.