Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association
www.MetBasketballWriters.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Buchanan, Turell Named Men's Players of the Week
NEW YORK (Feb. 16, 2021) ---
Elijah Buchanan of Manhattan in Division I and
Ryan Turell of Yeshiva in Divisions II/III have been named Men’s Players of the Week by the Met Basketball Writers Association.
The designations, for games played Feb. 8-14, are unique in that they encompass players from 72 Met area schools across Divisions I, II and III. At the outset of this season, the MBWA selected one overall Men’s Player of the Week. With all divisions now playing games, the association has reinstituted naming awards in Division I and in Divisions II/III.
A 6-5 junior forward from the Bronx, NY, Buchanan --- who also was named Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference player of the week --- averaged 20.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 3.0 steals and 1.5 blocks in helping the Jaspers (6-9) earn a split of two games at Iona. Buchanan shot 44.8% (13-of-29) from the field, including 50.0% (4-of-8) from long range, along with 91.7% (11-of-12) from the free throw line.
Buchanan began last weekend with an all-around performance, including a team-high 15 points plus five rebounds, three assists, four steals and a career-high three blocks in an 85-67 loss.
He followed with a double-double, including career-highs of 26 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists while adding two steals in leading the Jaspers to a 77-70 victory. He scored nine of the final 13 Manhattan points to cement the win, highlighted by a back-breaking triple with just over a minute to play.
A 6-7 junior forward from Los Angeles, CA, Turell averaged a double-double with a lofty 33.5 points and 11.5 rebounds per game for the Maccabees in a 2-0 season-opening home-and-home series against Manhattanville.
In Yeshiva's 98-76 tipoff victory on the road, Turell led all players with 31 points and 10 rebounds. He shot 57.9% (11-of-19) from the field while distributing three assists.
In the Maccabees 94-73 triumph at home, Turell again topped all players as he posted 36 points on 12-of-18 shooting along with 13 rebounds. He also dished out three assists and went 6-of-9 from 3-point range, successfully converting his first five attempts from beyond the arc.
Players receiving MBWA Division I Honorable Mention for the week: Zach Cooks, NJIT; Alex Morales, Wagner; Jared Rhoden, Seton Hall.
Players receiving MBWA Divisions II/III Honorable Mention for the week: Denzel Banks, NJCU; Jalen Burgess, Dominican; Irving Callender IV, Montclair State; Osbel Caraballo, St. Thomas Aquinas; Anthony Cooper, Caldwell; Howard McBurnie Jr., Drew; Kerwin Prince, Mercy; B.J. Saliba, Felician.
Previous MBWA 2020-21 Men’s Players of the Week:
Jan. 12, Tyler Thomas, Sacred Heart; Jan. 19, Julian Champagnie, St. John's; Jan. 26, Posh Alexander, St. John's; Feb. 2, Julian Champagnie, St. John's; Feb. 9, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Seton Hall, Div. I . . .
Grant Singleton, St. Thomas Aquinas, Divs. II/III.