Courtesy of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference
NORFOLK, Va., Feb. 28, 2023 – North Carolina Central junior guard Justin Wright and Norfolk State graduate forward Kris Bankstonhave been named the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Men’s Basketball Co-Players of the Week, presented by Coca-Cola, the league announced today. Howard University’s Shy Odom was named Rookie of the Week, and Bankston was also named the Defensive Player of the Week.
Justin Wright (6-2, Jr., G, Greenville, N.C.)
Wright led the Eagles to a 2-0 week by averaging 22.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.0 steals per game. He opened with 24 points, six rebounds and two assists in a win over first-place Howard, before turning in a 20-point, six-rebound, three-assist, three-steal effort in an overtime win over Norfolk State. In the Norfolk State contest, Wright scored all 20 of his points after halftime, including seven in the extra session.
Kris Bankston (6-9, Gr., F, Little Rock, Ark.)
Bankston averaged 20.0 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game, while shooting a combined 15-for-23 (65%) from the floor. He opened the weekend with an 11-point, six-rebound, two-block effort against South Carolina State, before going for a career-high 29 points and grabbing 12 rebounds against North Carolina Central on 11-for-17 shooting. Of his 18 rebounds for the week, 12 came on the defensive end, and against the Eagles, he added three blocks and two steals.
Shy Odom (6-6, Fr., F, Roxbury, Mass.)
Odom averaged 16.0 points and 6.5 rebounds per game, while shooting a combined 14-for-28 (50%) from the floor. He opened with 15 points, seven rebounds, two steals and two assists against North Carolina Central, before posting 17 points, six rebounds and two assists against South Carolina State.
Other Top Performers
Mike Hood (Coppin State) went for 24 points, a season-high, against Delaware State.
Jelani Williams (Howard) had 23 points, seven rebounds, three steals and two assists against South Carolina State.
Isaiah Burke (Morgan State) dropped 21 points on 8-for-13 shooting against Delaware State, while also dishing out six assists.
George Beale (Norfolk State) had 13 points and five rebounds against North Carolina Central.
Brendan Medley-Bacon (North Carolina Central) blocked eight shots against Howard, while also scoring 12 points.
