Player of the Week & Rookie of the Week
Jao Ituka, Marist
Fr., Gaithersburg, MD, Gaithersburg
 
Jao Ituka scored a career-high 34 points in Marist's come-from-behind overtime win at Boston University, the Patriot League preseason favorite, on Saturday in the Red Foxes' lone game this past week. Ituka shot 11-for-14 from the field, 1-for-1 from three-point range, and 11-for-13 from the free-throw line. He also contributed three rebounds, two assists, and a blocked shot. Ituka scored 12 points in the first half, 16 in the second half, and six in overtime. Marist had trailed by as much as 11 in the second half, but Ituka's game-tying three-pointer with 4.4 seconds remaining sent the game to overtime. In the extra period, Ituka went 4-for-4 from the free-throw line in the final 45 seconds to seal the victory for the Red Foxes. Ituka becomes the first freshman to win Player and Rookie weekly honors in the same week since Siena’s Jalen Pickett claimed both awards on December 3, 2018.
 
The 2021-22 campaign culminates with the 2022 Hercules Tires MAAC Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships from March 8-12 at Atlantic City's Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall. Stay up to date with all MAAC basketball by visiting MAACSports.com/basketball and by following @MAACHoops and #MAACHoops on Twitter. The road to AC!
 
About the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference:
With 11 institutions strongly bound by the sound principles of quality and integrity in academics and excellence in athletics, the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) is in its 41st year of competition during the 2021-22 academic year. Current conference members include: Canisius College, Fairfield University, Iona College, Manhattan College, Marist College, Monmouth University, Niagara University, Quinnipiac University, Rider University, Saint Peter’s University, and Siena College.
 
Stay up to date with the MAAC on social media by following @MAACSports on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram or visit MAACSports.com for all the latest MAAC news.