Vincent Ateba, F
Missouri Southern State University

Ateba, a 6-foot-4 senior from Orleans, France, averaged 19.3 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists in helping the Lions to their third 4-0 start in as many seasons.

He opened the season with a double-double -- 24 points and 11 rebounds -- in an 87-64 home win over Newman (Kan.) Nov. 15. The 24 points tied a career-best, and seven of Ateba's rebounds came from the offensive glass. He was 11-of-15 from the field against the Jets.

The following Tuesday (Nov. 18), Ateba scored 18 points with four rebounds and four assists in a 93-44 win over Central Bible (Mo.).

After scoring 11 points with seven rebounds in a 73-62 win over Mid-America Christian (Okla.) in the first night of the Freeman Sports Medicine Chris Tucker Memorial Classic, Ateba again tied his career high in scoring with 24 points Saturday (Nov. 22) in an 82-59 triumph over Lincoln (Mo.).

He also had eight rebounds (five offensive) and five assists against the Blue Tigers. Ateba was 8-of-13 from the field and 8-of-11 at the foul line in the game.

Ateba, who shot 62.5 percent from field in the four wins, graduated from St. Paul High School and transferred to MSSU from John A. Logan (Ill.) Community College.

Others nominated: James Bush, F, MWSU; Banks Estridge, G, TSU; Hunter Henry, F, NWMSU; Michael Jenkins, G, UNO; Spencer Magana, F, PSU; Lekheythan Malone, F, WU; Robert Moores, G, ESU; Tim Peintner, F, FHSU; Matt Rogers, C, SBU; Joe Young, G, UCM.

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MIAA Women's Basketball Athlete of the Week

For games played from Nov. 15-23

Ida Edwards, F
Emporia State University

Edwards, a 6-foot-2 senior from Yazoo City, Miss., averaged 11.7 points and 11.7 rebounds in helping the 15th-ranked Lady Hornets to wins in their first three games of the season.

She was selected as the Most Valuable Player of the Lady Hornets Classic Nov. 15-16, as she 10 points each in wins over Avila (Mo.) and Tabor (Kan.). She had a career-high 16 rebounds in 25 minutes of action against Tabor and had nine boards and three blocked shots against Avila.

The 16 rebounds is the most by a ESU women's player other than Michelle Stueve since Denisa Svarova had 16 vs. Central Oklahoma on Dec. 20, 2005.

In a 72-36 triumph over Newman (Kan.) Wednesday (Nov. 19), Edwards scored 15 points and had 10 rebounds. Five of her 10 boards were on the offensive end of the court for the Lady Hornets, as they started 3-0 for the ninth straight season.

Edwards is a graduate of Yazoo City High School, and transferred to ESU from West Texas A&M University after last playing at Pensacola (Fla.) Junior College.

Others Nominated: Erica Beil, F, FHSU; Meghan Brue, G, NWMSU; Danielle DeVader, G, MSSU; Candice Gilbert, G, PSU; Taylor Hanson, G, UCM.

-- MIAA --