Rickert Best Of The Week
Tagged in: NZ Breakers
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Harvey Norman NZ Breakers forward Rick Rickert has been named Player of the Week award after helping his team to a perfect 2-0 record in Round Five of the 2007/08 HUMMER NBL Championship.
The 24-year old American import averaged 26.5 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists over the course of the week as the Breakers improved their record to 3-2 for the season.
Rickert was on fire Thursday night against Adelaide, scoring 30 points and pulling down 13 rebounds to lead his team to a 116-107 home victory over the 36ers.
Sunday nightís game against Singapore was another strong showing for Rickert, who notched up 23 points, including making an impressive 11-of-17 shots from the field, as the Breakers won their third straight with a 116-99 road victory.
Rickert, who breaks through for his first ever Player of the Week award, is currently ranked fourth in the NBL in rebounds, averaging 10.4 per game. The American has been putting up consistent numbers so far this season, helping the Breakers move up into sixth place on the HUMMER Championship ladder and early contention for the clubís first-ever playoff berth.
Unlucky not to take out the weekly prize was South Dragons import Cortez Groves, who scored a remarkable 44 points in his teamís one-point loss to Brisbane. Scoring 26 points in the first half alone, the performance was the American recruitís personal-best points tally in his NBL career.
Rickertís New Zealand teammate Kirk Penney was also in the running for the weekly award after averaging 25.0 points in Round Five.
Bullets stars C.J Bruton (28.5 points, 4.0 assists, 3.5 rebounds) and Sam Mackinnon (18.5 points, 13.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists) were also strong candidates, as was last weekís winner Shawn Redhage of Perth (28 points, eight assists, 4 rebounds, and 2 blocks).
Other players considered for Player of the Week in Round Five included Brett Maher (Adelaide), Kavossy Franklin (Wollongong), Joe Ingles (South), Rod Grizzard (Singapore), Jason Smith (Sydney), Jason Crowe (Gold Coast), Ben Pepper (Townsville), Stephen Black (Cairns), Darnell Hinson (West Sydney), Chris Anstey (Melbourne) and Stephen Hoare (Melbourne).
HUMMER Championship Player of the Week 2007/08
Round 1 – Chris Anstey (Melbourne Tigers)
Round 2 – James Harvey (Gold Coast Blaze)
Round 3 – Darnell Hinson (West Sydney Razorbacks)
Round 4 – Shawn Redhage (Perth Wildcats)
Round 5 – Rick Rickert (New Zealand Breakers)
