Okafor Named BIG EAST Player of the Week

PROVIDENCE, RI (December 2, 2002) -- University of Connecticut sophomore forward/center Emeka Okafor (Houston, TX) has been named the BIG EAST Conference Player of the Week, the league announced Monday.

Okafor averaged 19.0 points, 11.5 rebounds and 5.5 blocks in a 2-0 week for the Huskies. He scored a career-high 25 points while shooting 11-of-15 from the field in a 76-70 win over Vanderbilt Sunday night in Nashville. He also grabbed 11 boards and blocked three shots.

Earlier in the week, Okafor had 13 points, 12 rebounds and eight blocks in a 67-55 win over George Washington Monday at the Hartford Civic Center.

For the season, Okafor is averaging a team-high 18.0 points, 11.7 rebounds and 4.7 blocks in three games. He was a First Team All-BIG EAST preseason pick and is one of 50 preseason candidates for the John R. Wooden National Player of the Year award.