Aggies Pascal Siakam named WAC Men’s Player of the Week for a record fifth time

LAS CRUCES, N.M. – New Mexico State’s Pascal Siakam made history as he was selected as the Western Athletic Conference Men’s Basketball Player of the Week for the fifth time this season, becoming the first player in WAC history to be so honored.

Siakam, the media’s choice as the WAC’s Preseason Player of the Year, collected his seventh career WAC Player of the Week honor.

The sophomore forward from Douala, Cameroon, averaged 22.0 points on 62 percent shooting, 13.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.0 blocks and 1.0 steals as the Aggies went 2-0 on the week to take sole possession of first place in the WAC standings. In the 70-50 win over Grand Canyon last Thursday, Siakam led all players with 17 points and 16 rebounds to go along with three assists, two blocks and two steals. He followed it up with game highs of 27 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks and added four assists in a 98-74 victory over Utah Valley. Siakam picked up his 20th and 21st double-doubles of the season to lead the NCAA in double-doubles and move his career total to 28. His 27 points against UVU marked the eighth time Siakam has scored 25 or more points this season and his 16 boards versus GCU was the sixth time he grabbed 15 or more rebounds.

Siakam also leads the nation in field goals made (215). ranks sixth nationally in rebounding (12.0), ranks 11th nationally in scoring (22.2), ranks 33rd in blocked shots per game (2.17), and ranks 65th nationally in minutes per game (35.25). He leads the WAC in those categories as well.

Siakam has been named one of the final 10 for the Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and is on the watch list for the Lou Henson Award as the Mid-Major Player of the Year by College Insider.

The league-leading Aggies (16-8, 8-1) face Northern New Mexico on Monday night in non-conference play at the Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho, N.M. NM State then travels to Chicago State for a Noon (MT) WAC game on Saturday before playing at Wichita State next Monday night.