NORFOLK, Va., Nov. 22, 2023 – North Carolina Central senior guard Kimeira Burks was named the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Player of the Week, presented by Coca-Cola. North Carolina Central’s freshman guard Kyla Bryant was named Rookie of the Week, while Norfolk State’s junior forward Kierra Wheeler earned Defensive Player of the Week honors, respectively.
Burks (Sr., G, Chicago, Ill.) averaged 22.0 points in three games last week including a a career-high 34 points, including a new NCCU school record 10 made 3-pointers in Friday's home win over Mid-Atlantic Christian. She made 16 three-pointers on the week for an average of 5.33 made 3-pointers per game. Burks shot 45.7 percent from the field for the week, including a sizzling 44.4 percent from behind the arc. She was NCCU's scoring leader in another win against Johnson & Wales, scoring 25 points on Sunday.
Bryant (Fr., G, Salisbury, N.C.) recorded a triple-double in Friday's win against Mid-Atlantic Christian with 21 points, 10 assists, 10 steals. Bryant’s triple-double is only one of five recorded so far this season by NCAA Division I players. She scored in double digits in all three of NCCU's games last week for an average of 17.0 points per game. Bryant scored 18 points at Wofford before scoring a season-high 21 points against MACU and added 12 points against Johnson & Wales. She also averaged 5.0 rebounds, 4.3 steals, and 3.7 assists for the week while shooting 55.3 percent from the field.
Wheeler (Jr., F, Minneapolis, Minn.) averaged 14.0 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.0 steals, 1.0 assist, and 0.5 blocks per game in a pair of victories. She posted a 13-point, 12-rebound double-double in win over Appalachian State with four steals. Wheeler followed that with a 15-point, nine rebound performance in a 59-45 win at Hampton, helping Norfolk State improve to 5-0 for the first time since the 1995-96 season as well as pick up a No. 21 ranking in the CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Polls.
Other Top Performers
Anjanae Richardson (Norfolk State) averaged 8.5 points and 1.5 rebounds per game in a pair of victories for the Spartans. She recorded nine points in a home-opening win against App State while knocking down two fourth quarter 3-pointers in an 8-point performance at Hampton.
Tyana Walker (Howard) was instrumental to the Bison offense in the Bahamas posting 10 points against Ole Miss. Against the Memphis Tigers, the Kansas native registered six points, eight rebounds, three assists, and two steals before succumbing to injury.
Laila Lawrence (Coppin State) averaged 15 points for the Eagles who split the week with a loss to Syracuse (10p/6r) and a victory at FIU (20p/11r/4a).
Ja’la Bannerman (Maryland Eastern Shore) averaged 13.5 points in two games last week which included an upset victory on homecoming over George Washington. Bannerman knocked down five three pointers in a 15 point performance against Stony Brook. She scored 12 points along with two steals in a 62-59 win on Saturday over GWU.
Faith Blackstone (Coppin State) scored a career-high 19 points with career-high eight rebounds at Syracuse and reupped her career high to 22 points with five boards, two assists and two blocks in the win at FIU.
Iyanna Warren (Howard) the fifth-year starter produced three double digit games in the past four matchups. The Maryland native led the Bison offense with 18 points against No. 23 ranked Ole Miss while going 7-9 from the FT line.