Valenti and Nelson Earn Men's Basketball Weekly Awards
MAAC Sports
Player of the Week
Phil Valenti, Canisius
So., F, 6-7, 200, Victor, N.Y./Aquinas Institute
Sophomore Phil Valenti led Canisius last week by averaging 20.5 points per game in two MAAC home wins over Siena and Iona. In the Golden Griffins’ 83-49 victory over Siena, the sophomore forward led all Canisius scorers with 22 points, highlighted by his 10-for-10 efforts from the free-throw line. In Canisius’ 78-74 victory over Iona, Valenti scored 19 points with 11 of those points coming in the second half. Valenti scored Canisius’ last four points, including two free-throws with 10.4 seconds remaining to seal the win for the Blue and Gold. He shot 61.9 percent from the floor, 50 percent from three-point land and he went a perfect 14-for-14 from the free-throw line. Valenti also averaged 4.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.5 steals in the team’s two wins.
Rookie of the Week
Tyler Nelson, Fairfield
Fr., G, 6-3, 185, Bradford, Mass./Central Catholic
Tyler Nelson averaged 14.7 points per game in a 1-2 week for the Stags. He reached double figures in all three contests, beginning with a 15-point effort at Iona. He scored all 15 points from behind the line off a personal-best five three pointers in 10 attempts. In the Marist game, he played 39 minutes and netted 14 points in a 60-54 win over the Red Foxes. He also picked up two assists and a steal. Against Monmouth, Nelson tied his career high with five three pointers which translated into 15 points. For the week, he shot 43 percent from the field and 48 percent from three-point range. He picked up four assists, four rebounds, and two steals.