CHARLOTTE, NC—Winthrop sophomore Xavier Cooks has been tabbed the Big South Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Week, announced by the league office Monday afternoon.
The second-year starter averaged 20.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 3.0 blocks while shooting 55 percent from the field including an impressive 9-for-13 from three. His performance helped the Eagles win two games last week and gain sole possession of first place in the league with two games remaining.
Cooks opened the week with his sixth double-double of the season as he tied his career-high in points with 26 and pulled down 10 rebounds in the team's win over Coastal Carolina. In that game he also finished with four blocks. He followed that performance up with 15 points, nine rebounds and two blocks in the win over UNC Asheville on Saturday.
Through 27 games Cooks is third on the team in scoring at 14.7 points per game and leads the team with 6.7 rebounds per game. It is the first Big South Player of the Week honors for Cooks. This is the sixth time a Winthrop player has garnered the weekly honor this season. He was also named the College Sports Madness Big South Player of the Week, which was announced on Monday as well.
