ATLANTA—Tuskegee University senior Joshua Eichelberger has been named SIAC Men’s Basketball Player of the Week while Kentucky State University sophomore Brandon Darrett was named SIAC Men’s Basketball Newcomer of the Week. Stillman College senior Jamila McKinnis and Albany State University freshman April Thomas have been named SIAC Women’s Basketball Player of the Week and Newcomer of the Week, respectively.
Eichelberger, a native of Detroit, MI, averaged 15 points and 11.5 rebounds in two games, including a 16-point, 13-rebound performance in a 79-69 win over LeMoyne-Owen. Defensively, the 6-5, 195-pound forward also averaged two steals and a block along with an assist while helping lead the Golden Tigers to a 2-0 record, including a win over in-state conference rival Miles. Eichelberger, who has recorded four double-doubles in seven games, is one of three players that currently ranks in the top seven of the SIAC in scoring (15.3 ppg, 7th), rebounding ( 8.9 rpg, 2nd), and blocks (1.9 bpg, 4th).
McKinnis, a native of Mobile, AL, averaged 13 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in two games this past week to earn her second player of the week honor this season. The 5-11 forward was a force on defensive end for the Lady Tigers, averaging two steals and five blocks per game, including an impressive eight blocks against Claflin, while helping her team to a 2-0 record for the week. Averaging 15 points and eight rebounds per game this season, McKinnis, who also averages a conference-leading 3.1 blocks per game, is currently the only player that ranks in the top four of the SIAC in all three aforementioned categories.
Darrett, a 6-7 forward from Evansville, IN, earns his second weekly honor this season, averaging 10.3 points, including a season-high 12 points against Fort Valley State, and 7.3 rebounds in three games. The Vincennes University transfer also averaged 1.3 steals and 1.3 blocks on defense while helping the Thorobreds to a 3-0 record for the week with victories over conference-foes Albany State, Fort Valley State, and Paine. Darrett leads the Thorobreds with 1.6 blocks per game and a .556 shooting percentage from the field, ranking fifth and sixth in the SIAC, respectively, in those categories.
Thomas, a 5-1 guard from Bainbridge, GA, averaged 13.7 points and three rebounds in three games. The Bainbridge High graduate also averaged 2.7 steals and 1.3 assists in those three games, helping the Lady Rams to wins over Lane, Kentucky State, and Fort Valley State. Thomas leads all SIAC freshmen with 26 three-point field goals made, which ranks second in the SIAC, as well as scoring at 14.8 points per game, ranking fourth among conference leaders in that category.
For more information regarding SIAC men’s and women’s basketball, visit www.thesiac.com.
Ben Baxter
Assistant Commissioner for Communications & New Media
Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC)
