For the first time in his career, Ball State University men's basketball freshman center Jarrod Jones was announced Monday as the Mid-American Conference West Division Player of the Week.
Jones joins Northern Illinois University guard Mike DiNunno as the only freshmen to win the award this season.
"I'm really proud of Jarrod for what he's been able to accomplish for the team thus far this season," coach Billy Taylor said. "He's been a very integral part of what we do on the offensive and defensive ends of the floor."
The award marks the fourth time this season a Ball State player has been selected. Senior forward Anthony Newell was named MAC West Player of the Week three times in a five-week span this season before suffering a season-ending leg injury against Eastern Michigan University on Jan. 10.
"He's really elevated his game in MAC play, especially with Anthony being out," Taylor said. "I'm proud of him for what he's been able to accomplish and really pleased with my guys recognizing that Jarrod can score for us and our guards getting him the ball in the painted area."
Jones averaged 14 points and eight rebounds per game this past week as the West-leading Cardinals (10-9, 5-2 MAC) went 1-1 against Bowling Green State University and Ohio University.
Jones had a team-high 15 points and had eight rebounds in Ball State's 62-58 loss to Bowling Green on Jan. 28. He followed that with a team-high 13 points, a team and career-high four blocks while adding eight rebounds in the Cardinals' 51-44 win against Ohio on Saturday.
Freshman forward Mo Hubbard said the 6-foot-9 Jones brings everything to the table that's expected from big man in the MAC.
"He's been doing a lot for us," Hubbard said. "He rebounds, scores the ball, blocks shots - he's contributing a lot and its just showing us how much we need him in order to get victories out there."
Taylor didn't want to speculate this early in the process whether Jones was a favorite for the MAC Freshman of the Year award but said individual awards hinder on team success.
"He's played great thus far, and if we continue to play well as a team, then those accolades will come for our guys," Taylor said. "We're playing good basketball, people recognize that, our team is defending well, we're rebounding well and if we continue to play at the level that we have been, then individual honors will certainly come."
Jones averages 11.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game.
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