NEW YORK - Zuby Ejiofor from St. John's and Providence's Stefan Vaaks have earned the first BIG EAST weekly men's basketball awards. Ejiofor was named BIG EAST Player of the Week after averaging 22.0 points and 8.0 rebounds in two games during the opening week of competition. Vaaks contributed 18.0 points per game in two outings for the Friars to secure BIG EAST Freshman of the week.
BIG EAST Player of the Week
Zuby Ejiofor, St. John's, F, Sr.
Ejiofor averaged 22.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.5 blocks, and 1.0 steal in 26.0 minutes of play in two games for the Red Storm. The preseason BIG EAST Player of the Year connected on 16-of-22 shots from the floor, including 2-of-3 from beyond the arc. His best performance of the week came last time out against No. 15/15 Alabama, scoring a game-high 27 points to go along with 10 rebounds, three assists, two steals, and two blocks in 28 minutes. Ejiofor connected on 9-of-12 shots from the floor vs. the Crimson Tide. In the season opener against Quinnipiac, he had 17 points to go with six boards, three assists, and a blocked shot in 24 minutes of action.
BIG EAST Freshman of the Week
Stefan Vaaks, Providence, F, Fr.
Vaaks posted a two-game stat line of 18.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 2.0 steals, and 1.0 blocks in 23.5 minutes off the bench for Providence. The 6-7 Estonian forward led five Friars in double figures with 19 points in the season opener against Holy Cross. He knocked down 5-of-9 from the field, including three 3-pointers, and was 6-of-6 from the free throw line. Last time out against Virginia Tech, Vaaks scored 17 points, making four 3-pointers, while grabbing three rebounds.
BIG EAST Honor Roll
Michael Ajayi, Butler, F. Gr.
Ajayi posted a pair of double-doubles to start the season 2-0 for the Bulldogs. On opening night, Ajayi scored 24 points to go along with 12 rebounds in a win over Southern Indiana. Last time out against IU Indy, Ajayi corralled a game-high 14 rebounds to go along with 11 points.
Tarris Reed Jr., UConn, C, Sr.
Reed made his season debut against UMass Lowell on Nov. 7 and contributed 20 points, 12 rebounds, and four blocked shots in 17 minutes of play in a win for the Huskies. He connected on 9-of-12 shots from the floor. It was his 11th career double-double and fifth with at least 20 and 10.
NJ Benson, DePaul, F, Sr.
Benson averaged a double-double, posting 16.0 points and 10.0 boards, while blocking 4.0 shots per game in a 2-0 week for the Blue Demons. He became the first DePaul player to start a season with back-to-back double-doubles since 2009, and blocked a career-high six shots against Stonehill.
KJ Lewis, Georgetown, G, Jr.
Lewis shined for the Hoyas in a 2-0 week, averaging 15.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 2.0 steals. He registered a near double-double, with 16 points and nine boards in a win at Maryland. Lewis dished out three assists in 33 minutes against the Terps. On opening night against Morgan State, Lewis recorded 14 points, five rebounds, and three steals in 23 minutes of action.
Bryce Lindsay, Villanova, G, R-So.
Lindsay averaged a league-best 23.5 points per game during the first week of competition. He had 22 points - including five made 3-pointers - in the season opener against No. 8/8 BYU in Las Vegas. The 6-3 guard added 25 points last time out in a win over Queens (N.C.), connecting on 10-of-11 from the charity stripe.