PITMAN --- The New Jersey Athletic Conference has announced its men's basketball weekly award winners for the week ending Dec. 14.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
FRED OROCK, JR. • William Paterson University
Junior • Forward • Williamstown, NJ/Williamstown
Orock Jr. earned NJAC Player of the Week honors after shooting an elite 73.7 percent from the floor while averaging 15.5 points and 6.5 rebounds across two conference games. The junior forward dominated in Friday's 71-70 loss to Rowan, posting 18 points on 8-of-9 shooting (88.9 percent) with five rebounds and two blocks. He earlier contributed 13 points on 6-of-10 shooting with eight rebounds in Tuesday's 68-56 victory over Rutgers-Newark. For the week, Orock Jr. totaled two blocks and just two turnovers in 52 minutes. He currently leads all NJAC players by far in conference-only field goal percentage, hitting 68.9 percent of his shots.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
TAZ CANTEY • Rowan University
Senior • Guard • Lindenwold, NJ/Eastern Regional
Cantey claimed NJAC Defensive Player of the Week recognition after averaging 8.0 rebounds and 4.5 steals while helping Rowan secure its first two victories of the season. He also contributed on the offensive end with 17.5 points per game. The senior guard recorded 18 points, eight rebounds and five steals in Tuesday's 67-56 win over Kean before posting 17 points, eight rebounds and four steals in Friday's 71-70 triumph at William Paterson. Cantey currently ranks seventh in the NJAC in conference-only scoring (15.4 ppg), eighth in conference-only rebounding (7.2 rpg), and fifth in conference-only field goal percentage (44.6%).
ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
CRISTIAN NICHOLSON • Montclair State University
Freshman • Guard • Mine Hill, NJ/Morris Catholic
Nicholson was named NJAC Rookie of the Week for the second time this season after averaging 14.0 points and 5.5 assists while recording six steals in Montclair State's 2-0 week. The freshman guard posted a season-high 18 points with three steals and two assists in Tuesday's 95-72 victory at Ramapo. He followed with a near double-double performance of 10 points and nine assists while adding three steals in Saturday's 89-63 home win over Rutgers-Camden. Nicholson also contributed four rebounds and a block across the two conference victories. He currently leads all rookies and is second overall with 5.0 assists per game against conference opponents. He is also fourth in conference-only steals (2.6 spg).