Basketball’s Shahmel Brackett Named UNCP Athlete Of The Week

PEMBROKE – After leading the men's basketball to a pair of victories on the week, including a perfect run through the Zaxby's Tip-Off Clazzic in Florence, S.C., sophomore guard Shahmel Brackett has been named this week's UNCP Athlete of the Week, athletic department officials announced.

Brackett, a Florence, S.C., product, averaged 14.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.7 steals per game in three starts last week, including 18.0 points per game in two wins at the Francis Marion-hosted tournament.

The sophomore scored just eight points in limited action in a tight loss at Belmont Abbey on Tuesday evening, but erupted in UNCP's opener at the Zaxby's Tip-Off Classic, scoring a season-best 22 points and adding four rebounds, five assists and a pair of steals in an 86-68 win over region foe St. Andrews. He would finish out his week with an outstanding effort against Coker on Saturday, tallying 14 points, two assists and four steals in a comeback win over the Cobras.

The 2009-10 Peach Belt Conference Freshman of the Year, Brackett has played in 30 games in his still-young career in the Black and Gold, including 30 starts. Through 30 career games, he has averaged 13.9 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.0 steals per contest.