BIG EAST Basketball’s Best Performers of Week 1: Kalkbrenner, Sorber, and More
Sportsgrid Staff
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The BIG EAST conference has announced its first weekly honors in men’s basketball, celebrating outstanding performances by Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner and Georgetown’s Thomas Sorber. Kalkbrenner’s scoring power earned him BIG EAST Player of the Week, while Sorber’s debut double-doubles secured his title as BIG EAST Freshman of the Week.
Kalkbrenner’s Historic Performance Earns Player of the Week
Ryan Kalkbrenner dominated in the season’s first week, putting up incredible stats for Creighton. Averaging 36.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks over two games, Kalkbrenner was nearly unstoppable. His shooting efficiency was off the charts, hitting 29 of 32 shots from the field and going 12 of 13 from the free-throw line. Highlighting his week, Kalkbrenner recorded an unforgettable 41-point, 11-rebound double-double against UTRGV, the highest point total for a double-double in BIG EAST history. The Bluejays claimed victories over UTRGV (99-86) and Fairleigh Dickinson (96-70), with Kalkbrenner leading the charge.
Sorber Shines as Freshman of the Week for Georgetown
Thomas Sorber made a statement in his first collegiate games, securing BIG EAST Freshman of the Week honors. The Georgetown forward averaged a powerful 22.5 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks across two games, showing impressive consistency. Sorber’s 55.2% shooting from the field helped fuel the Hoyas’ 2-0 week, including a 69-57 victory over Fairfield, where he recorded 25 points and nine rebounds. His back-to-back double-doubles set the tone for a promising freshman season.
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BIG EAST Honor Roll Recognizes Key Contributors
The BIG EAST Honor Roll this week highlights players from UConn, DePaul, Marquette, St. John’s, and Xavier for their impactful performances:
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Alex Karaban, UConn: Contributed across the board with 18.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 5.5 blocks per game in a 2-0 week. His 64.7% shooting and 61.9% three-point percentage were critical in UConn’s early wins.
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Isaiah Rivera, DePaul: Averaged 21.0 points and 4.5 rebounds while shooting 57.7% from the field and making 8 of 16 three-pointers, playing a vital role in DePaul’s victories.
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Kam Jones, Marquette: With a standout 28.0 points per game, Jones was instrumental for Marquette. His 32-point performance in the season opener against Stony Brook (102-62) included a 76.7% shooting mark from the floor.
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RJ Luis Jr., St. John’s: Averaged a team-high 18.0 points and 7.5 rebounds. His contributions in a 96-73 win over Quinnipiac included 24 points and 13 rebounds.
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Dayvion McKnight, Xavier: Scored 18.0 points per game, added 5.0 assists and 2.0 steals, and showed excellent ball control with just one turnover in two games. McKnight’s shooting accuracy stood at 73.3%.
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