Player of the Week
Nelly Junior Joseph, Iona
So., Benin City, Nigeria, NBA Academy Africa
 
Sophomore Nelly Junior Joseph led the Gaels in two wins this week averaging a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds per game. Junior Joseph shot 60% from the field and averaged 3.0 blocks and 2.5 steals per game. Nelly began the week with a 17-point, 12-rebound effort against then second-place Saint Peter's on the road. He posted a career-high six blocks and had an assist and two steals. He completed it with a 15-point, 10-rebound effort in a double-digit win vs. Fairfield at home Sunday. Junior Joseph shot 7-for-11 in the game and had three steals while sitting the final 5:42.
 
Rookie of the Week
Jao Ituka, Marist
Fr., Gaithersburg, MD, Gaithersburg
 
Jao Ituka was the leading scorer (16.0 ppg) in Marist's 3-0 week, which included wins over Niagara, at Siena, and against Quinnipiac. Ituka also averaged 4.0 assists, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.0 steals while shooting .810 (17-for-21) from the free-throw line. Against Niagara on Feb. 14, Ituka scored 20 points, had a career-high four assists, and had two rebounds. He shot 6-for-12 from the field, drained his only three-pointer, and went 7-for-9 from the free-throw line. At Siena on Feb. 18, Ituka finished with 23 points, and set career highs with eight rebounds and three steals. He added two assists and went 10-for-12 from the line as Marist erased a 10-point second-half deficit for its first win over Siena at MVP Arena since 2013. Against Quinnipiac on Feb. 22, Ituka set a new career high with six assists, and his three-pointer with 2:51 to play gave Marist the lead for good in its one-point victory over the Bobcats.
 
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.