Clavell Named Southland Conference Men’s Basketball Player of the Week

FRISCO, TEXAS (January 3, 2011) Sam Houston State forward Gilberto Clavell has been named the Southland Conference men’s basketball player of the week, the league office announced Monday.

Clavell averaged 16.3 points and 5.3 rebounds in the Bearkats’ three games last week. He scored 24 points against Air Force in the Don Haskins Sun Bowl Classic and added 21 at UTEP on Sunday.

The senior from Mayaguez, Puerto Rico (Florida Air Academy), connected on 53.3 percent of his shots (16-of-30) and sank 17-of-23 free throws (73.9 percent) in the three games, which also included a win over Western New Mexico. This is the second time this season Clavell has been named the conference player of the week.

He was previously honored Nov. 29 after he scored a season-high 29 points in an upset at Colorado State. In 12 games, Clavell is second in the Southland in scoring, averaging 18.9 points to go along with 7.3 rebounds.

Honorable mention this week goes to Stephen F. Austin guard Denzel Barnes, Central Arkansas guard Imad Qahwash, Southeastern Louisiana guard Brandon Fortenberry and Texas State forward Cameron Johnson. To receive honorable mention, a player must receive votes from 25 percent of the Southland men’s basketball sports information directors.

Each school’s SID nominates and votes for the players of the week, though is not permitted to vote for his or her own player.