ATLANTA—Tuskegee University senior Joshua Eichelberger has been named SIAC Men’s Basketball Player of the Week while Miles College senior Sammeika Thomas and Stillman College senior Jamila McKinnis have been named SIAC Women’s Basketball Co-Players of the Week. Clark Atlanta University sophomore Jermille Fluker has been named SIAC Men’s Basketball Newcomer of the Week while Miles College junior Courtney English has been named SIAC Women’s Basketball Newcomer of the Week.
Eichelberger, a native of Detroit, MI, averaged 20.5 points and 12 rebounds in two games to earn his second consecutive player of the week honor in as many weeks. Defensively, the 6-5, 195-pound forward averaged 1.5 steals and one block for the week along with one assist per game, helping the Golden Tigers defeat in-state conference rival Miles, 82-74, with a 20-point, 10-rebound performance. Averaging 16.8 points and 9.6 rebounds on the season, Eichelberger is currently the fourth-leading scorer and second-leading rebounder in the SIAC, including a conference-leading 3.7 offensive rebounds per game.
Thomas, a native of Birmingham, AL, earns her third player of the week this season after averaging 12 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in two games. The 6-1 forward, who was named SIAC Player of the Year after last season, also averaged three steals and two blocks while helping lead the Lady Bears to a 2-0 record for the week, including wins over Clark Atlanta and Tuskegee in conference play. Through Sunday, Thomas is the only women’s player in the SIAC averaging a double-double with 13.5 points and a conference-leading 10.1 rebounds per contest.
McKinnis, a native of Mobile, AL, followed up last week’s player of the week performance with another big week, averaging 16.5 points and 11 rebounds in two games. The 5-10 senior also averaged an impressive 4.5 blocks for the week along with 1.5 assists and one steal per game, helping the Lady Tigers to a 2-0 record for the week with victories over Tuskegee and LeMoyne-Owen. McKinnis is currently averaging 3.4 blocks per game this season which currently ranks second in Division II.
Fluker, a guard from Gulfport, MS, averaged 11 points and 3.6 rebounds in three games. The 6-1 transfer from Dillard University also averaged 1.3 assists and 1.3 steals for the Panthers, who finished with a 2-1 record for the week with wins over Lane and Kentucky State.
English, a forward from Atmore, AL, nearly averaged a double-double for the week, averaging 12 points and nine rebounds in two games including a 15-point and 10-rebound performance against Clark Atlanta. English also averaged 1.5 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.5 blocks for the Lady Bears, who finished with a 2-0 record for the week.
Ben Baxter
Assistant Commissioner for Communications & New Media
Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC)
