LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – Rider University men's basketball forward Mervin James (St. Thomas, USVI/Pebblebrook [North Alabama]) has been named Metropolitan Basketball Writers MAAC Men's Basketball Player of the Week, the organization today announced. James averaged 17.0 points and 7.0 rebounds per game, while shooting a difference-making 93.8 percent (15-16) from the free-throw line in the Broncs 2-0 weekend with wins over Niagara and Manhattan. He becomes the first Rider men's basketball player to be selected MBWA Player of the Week since Teddy Okereafor earned the honor on Jan. 19, 2016.  

James scored 18 points on 5-of-9 shooting from the floor, 1-of-2 from long range and 7-of-8 from the free-throw line as the Broncs defeated Niagara, 65-62, on Friday. Included in his production was a key steal with the Broncs trailing by one with 57 seconds left. He was fouled and made both free throws to put Rider on top by one and the Broncs never trailed again. He then went for 16 points on 4-of-10 shooting from the floor and converted all eight of his free-throw attempts in a 67-65 victory over Manhattan on Sunday. He was efficient in the decisive second half, going 1-for-2 from the floor and 6-for-6 from the free-throw line.