Photo by Abigail Leggett | Staff Photographer

In what has been a complete one-eighty from the last couple of weeks, the Arkansas State Red Wolves men’s basketball team has dominated their last three games, with two victories over Louisiana-Monroe and a win over Louisiana. Easily the most standout performance of the past few weeks has been forward Izaiyah Nelson.

Nelson was named an Oscar Robertson Player of the Week for his performance against the ULM and Louisiana last week. The award is given weekly by the US Basketball Writers Association for college basketball players around the country, with five players being recognized every week. Nelson was selected alongside guard Silas Demary Jr. of the Georgia Bulldogs, forward Eric Dixon of the Villanova Wildcats, forward Jeff Planutis of the Mercyhurst Lakers and forward Cooper Schweiger of the Valparaiso Beacons. 

Nelson has been on a hot streak since the Red Wolves game against Marshall. Although he struggled in that loss, Nelson has been on fire in the games since, never scoring under double digits in a game. In the game against Louisiana, Nelson scored a whopping 30 points and grabbed 21 rebounds, including 10 offensive boards. The very next game, Nelson recorded another double-double, putting up 19 rebounds and 13 points against ULM.

Along with Player of the Week, Nelson received the Sun Belt Conference player of the week. Nelson is the second Red Wolves player to receive a national player of the week award this season, with the first being guard Taryn Todd early in the season.

The Red Wolves will play in the Sun Belt tournament quarterfinals on March 8.

Categories: Sports