Student-Athletes of the Week (2-22)
MAAC Sports
Giovanni McLean
Men's Basketball, Senior, Guard, 6'1", Bronx, NY / Bronx Regional / Westchester CC
Giovanni McLean scored 23 of his 25 points in the second half in the final two home games of the year to tie for team high honors in both games. He had all 10 of his points in the second half of a one-point win over Saint Peter's on Thursday and 13 of his 15 in the second half to spearhead a comeback that fell just short on his Senior Day on Sunday against Manhattan. He also was featured in The Sporting News on Thursday for overcoming many obstacles to earn his degree in sociology this May. McLean earned a 3.33 GPA taking a full course load during the fall semester.
Sam Lapsynski
Women's Basketball, Senior, Center, 6'3", Jefferson, NJ / Jefferson Township
Sam Lapszynski has been a stand-out in her senior season on the Niagara women’s basketball team. She was named MAAC Women’s Basketball Player of the Week after two of her best career games against Cleveland State on Nov. 27, 2015 and against Detroit on Nov. 29, 2015. Against Cleveland State, Lapszynski, a center from Jefferson, N.J., recorded the first double-double of her career with a then-career-high 24 points and 11 rebounds. On Feb. 7, 2016 at Quinnipiac, Lapszynski brought down 19 rebounds, tying the Niagara women’s basketball record for rebounds in a single game. She has recorded a team-leading eight double-doubles this season, as well as leading the team in scoring with 12.4 points per game and rebounding with 8.7 rebounds per game.
Lapszynski is pursuing an Elementary Education degree and is currently completing her student teaching in the Niagara Falls school district. She has an overall GPA of 3.92 and has been a Dean’s List honoree multiple times in her time at Niagara. Lapszynski will graduate this spring and hopes to pursue a career as an elementary school teacher.