Player of the Week
Mervin James, Rider
R-Sr., St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, Pebblebrook
 
James averaged 22.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 3.0 blocks per game, shooting 56.3 percent (18-32) from the floor and 72.7 percent (8-11) from the free-throw line in the Broncs' 1-1 week. Rider earned an 88-85 overtime victory at Delaware, ranked No. 95 in the NET rankings at the time of the game, with James going for 25 points on 10-of-16 shooting, including 1-of-3 from long range and 4-for-5 from the free-throw line. He added seven rebounds, matched his season high with four blocks and dished out two assists. He then went for his third double-double of the year with 20 points and 12 rebounds in an overtime setback to Penn on Saturday. He made 8-of-16 from the floor and 4-of-6 from the free-throw line, dished out four assists, blocked two shots and made two steals. James averaged 41.0 minutes in the two games.
 
Rookie of the Week
Jean Aranguren, Iona
Fr., Valencia, Venezuela, Springfield Commonwealth Academy (MA)
 
Freshman Jean Aranguren led the Gaels to a 20-point win over Patriot League favorite Colgate at the Hynes Center with a game-high 22 points and eight rebounds in 25 minutes off the bench. The 6-4 guard shot 8-for-9 (88.9%) from the field, including a perfect 6-for-6 inside the arc. Aranguren set career-highs in points and field goals made and matched his high in rebounding in the convincing win.
 
The 2023-24 campaign culminates with the 2024 Hercules Tires MAAC Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships from March 12-16 at Atlantic City's Historic Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall for the fifth consecutive year dating back to 2020. For all information regarding the 2024 Hercules Tires MAAC Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships, please visit MAACSports.com/basketball and by following @MAACHoops and #MAACHoops on Twitter.
 
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 43rd year of competition during the 2023-24 academic year. Current conference members include: Canisius University, Fairfield University, Iona University, Manhattan College, Marist College, Mount St. Mary’s University, Niagara University, Quinnipiac University, Rider University, Saint Peter’s University, and Siena College. Merrimack College and Sacred Heart University will join the MAAC as full members in the 2024-25 academic year, expanding the conference to 13 institutions.
 
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