COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - New Mexico sophomore center Alex Kirk and San Diego State junior guard Jamaal Franklin have been named Mountain West Men's Basketball Co-Players of the Week for games through January 13. This is the fourth career MW weekly accolade for Franklin and second for Kirk.
Kirk averaged 21.0 points and 11.5 rebounds per game as New Mexico opened Mountain West play 2-0 with home victories over then-No. 24/19 UNLV and Fresno State. In Wednesday's 65-60 win over the Runnin' Rebels, the sophomore center hit two 3-pointers while leading all scorers with 23 points, adding nine rebounds, one block, one assist and one steal. Against Fresno State, the Los Alamos, N.M., native scored 12 of his game-best 19 points in the second half, adding a career-high 14 rebounds, two steals and two blocks as the Lobos collected the 72-45 win. Kirk, who entered the week averaging just over 11 points per game, shot 57.7 percent from the field (15-of-26), including 50 percent (2-of-4) from 3-point range, and 76.9 percent (10-of-13) from the free throw line while averaging 31.5 minutes of action over the two-game stretch.
Franklin averaged 21.5 points and 12.5 rebounds per game as San Diego State defeated Fresno State on the road and Colorado State at home in overtime to begin Mountain West play with a 2-0 mark. In Wednesday's 65-62 win over the Bulldogs, the junior guard became just the third NCAA player in 10 seasons to record a stat line of 20 points (game-high), 18 rebounds (career-high), five assists and three blocks (career-high). He hit his final three free throws over the last 2:27 of the game, including two with 18 seconds remaining, to seal the victory. Against Colorado State, the Hawthorne, Calif., product led all scorers with 23 points, converting a career-best five 3-pointers while adding seven rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal during the 79-72 overtime victory. Over the two games, Franklin played 79 of 85 minutes and was 10-of-14 (.714) from the free throw line.
MW Men's Basketball Players of the Week:
Nov. 12 - Colton Iverson, Sr., C, Colorado State
Nov. 19 - Deonte Burton, Jr., G, Nevada; Tony Snell, Jr., G, New Mexico
Nov. 26 - Colton Iverson, Sr., C, Colorado State
Dec. 3 - Derrick Marks, So., G, Boise State
Dec. 10 - Anthony Bennett, Fr., F, UNLV
Dec. 17 - Anthony Drmic, So., G/F, Boise State
Dec. 24 - Pierce Hornung, Sr., F, Colorado State
Dec. 31 - Alex Kirk, So., C, New Mexico
Jan. 7 - Leonard Washington, Sr., F, Wyoming
Jan. 14 - Alex Kirk, So., C, New Mexico; Jamaal Franklin, Jr., G, San Diego State
