NORFOLK, Va., Nov. 29, 2022—Norfolk State sophomore forward Kierra Wheeler was selected as the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Women’s Basketball Player of the Week, presented by Coca-Cola, the conference office announced today. North Carolina Central guard Jerni Kiaku was named Rookie of the Week. Coppin State sophomore forward Colleen Bucknor was named Defensive Player of the Week.
 
Wheeler (6-1, So., F, Fort Washington, Md.) was named MVP of the Hostilo Hoops Community Classic and in three Norfolk State victories this past week, she averaged 14.7 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.0 steals a game – all while shooting a combined 19-for-28 (.679) from the floor. She recorded a double-double (15 points, 10 rebounds) against Campbell, going 7-for-9 from the floor, and she dropped a season-high 17 points to go along with nine rebounds against Tennessee Martin.
 
Kiaku (0-0, Fr., G, Garner, N.C.) dropped a season-high 21 points against Elon, going 8-for-13 from the floor and hitting two of her four 3-pointers and grabbing three steals. For the week, Kiaku averaged 15.5 points and 3.0 steals a contest, as she also had 10 points in a win over North Carolina Wesleyan, and she was a combined 12-for-22 (.550) from the floor.
 
Bucknor (0-0, So., F, Miami, Fla.) grabbed a career-high 14 rebounds (seven defensive) against Old Dominion – a game in which she also scored 12 points for her first career double-double – and she grabbed five more rebounds against Rhode Island. Of her 19 total rebounds for the week (9.5 per contest), 11 came on the defensive end.
 
Other Top Performers
Mossi Staples (Coppin State) had 18 points, six rebounds, three steals and two assists against Rhode Island.
 
Brooklyn Fort-Davis (Howard) scored 12 points and grabbed six rebounds against Drake.
 
Jenesis Perrin (Howard) grabbed three rebounds against FIU.
 
Makoye Diawara (Norfolk State) recorded a double-double of 21 points and 16 rebounds against Tennessee Martin.