Basketball’s George Blakeney Named UNCP Student-Athlete Of The Week

PEMBROKE – After playing a key role in leading the UNCP men's basketball team to a 1-1 record on the week, including a 107-70 victory over visiting Allen on Saturday, forward George Blakeney has been named this week's UNCP Student-Athlete of the Week, athletic department officials announced Monday.

Blakeney, a junior from Tarboro, averaged 17.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.0 blocks and 1.0 assists per game last week, including registering his fifth career double-double in the win over Allen that snapped a two-game skid for the Braves. His performance included an astounding .705 (12-for-17) shooting effort from the field, as well as an 11-for-14 (.786) clip from the free throw line. Of his 17 rebounds on the week, eight came on the offensive end of the court.

The 6-9 big man began his week with a 20-point, 7-rebound, 2-assist, 2-block effort in an overtime loss to Wingate in which he shot 75 percent (6-for-8) from the floor and 80 percent (8-for-10) from the charity stripe. He followed that exhibition up with 15 points and 10 rebounds in only 23 minutes of action against Allen. The output against the Yellowjackets marked his fifth career double-double, as well as his second of the season (St. Andrews).

Blakeney has played in 60 games during his 2+-year career in the Black & Gold, including 52 starts. He possesses career averages of 8.7 points and 7.0 rebounds per game and has scored in double figures on 24 occasions, including double-digit scoring outings in five of six games this season.