NEW YORK – St. John’s wing RJ Luis Jr. has been named BIG EAST Player of the Week and Providence forward Ryan Mela has been named BIG EAST Freshman of the Week. Both players led their respective teams to 2-0 weeks.
 
BIG EAST Player of the Week
RJ Luis Jr., St. John’s, G-F, Jr.
Luis averaged 24.0 points and 10.0 rebounds in a 2-0 week that included an 82-72 win at Xavier and an 80-68 victory versus Villanova. In the Villanova win, Luis scored 23 of his game-high 30 points in the second half. He grabbed 10 rebounds in both games. Luis made 22-of-26 free throws for the two games. He leads the Johnnies in scoring with a 17.4 mark.
 
BIG EAST Freshman of the Week
Ryan Mela, Providence, F, Fr.
Mela earns Freshman honors after contributing to a 2-0 week for the Friars. Making his first start as a collegian, Mela scored 10 points and grabbed 15 rebounds in an 84-65 win over Butler. He followed that with seven points, nine rebounds and five assists in a 91-85 victory against Seton Hall. It was the first time a PC freshman had at least 10 points and 15 rebounds in a league game since 2022.
 
BIG EAST Honor Roll
Ryan Kalkbrenner, Creighton, C, Sr. – Posted 26 points, nine rebounds and a season-high six blocked shots in a win at Butler (80-76).
 
Chase Ross, Marquette, G, Jr. – Recorded 27 points and six steals in a victory against Georgetown (74-66). Made 4-of-6 from beyond the arc.
 
Bensley Joseph, Providence, G, Sr. – Averaged 23.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists in a 2-0 week. Posted 28 points and five assists in a win against Seton Hall (91-85). Made 10-of-15 from 3-point range. 
 
Isaiah Coleman, Seton Hall, F, So. – Averaged 25.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and shot 7-of-12 from 3-point range. Had 24 points, seven assists and six boards in an OT win over DePaul (85-80).
 
Wooga Poplar, Villanova,  G, Sr. – Averaged 20.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and shot 56.5 percent from the floor in a 1-1 week. Had 18 points in a win against UConn (68-66).